ARC Raiders in Focus: Everything About the Release of the New Extraction Shooter
The extraction shooter genre has been booming for years and keeps growing. Today, on October 30, ARC Raiders is being released and promises to bring a fresh breeze to the genre. The game has been developed over the past few years by Embark Studios, known for The Finals. ARC Raiders takes you into a post-apocalyptic future where the Earth’s surface is ruled by mechanical enemies called “ARC.”
You are one of the last humans, and humanity has been forced by the ARCs to live underground. Some Raiders dare to reach the surface to fight for valuable resources. Besides the AI enemies, other players are also waiting on the surface. It is a highly current and thrilling third person extraction shooter.
Background and Developer
ARC Raiders was developed by Embark Studios, which became known in 2023 for their first game The Finals. ARC Raiders is the second major title from the studio and already has over 246 thousand followers on Steam before release. The game was officially announced at The Game Awards 2021. At that time, it was designed as a free to play cooperative third person shooter. It was only in 2023 that it was revealed to have evolved into an extraction shooter with PvPvE gameplay. The FTP model was abandoned, and instead, the game must now be purchased for 40 euros.
Story and Setting of ARC Raiders
ARC Raiders takes place in a distant future on Earth. Humanity no longer rules the planet, as a mechanized power called ARC has taken control. Now, humans live underground in subterranean cities. You live in Speranza. Brave Raiders venture to the surface to gather vital resources.
You are one of those Raiders, collecting resources and new equipment. The goal is to return alive. The ARC robot mechs or hostile Raiders on the surface pose the greatest threat and can mean your immediate end.
ARC Raiders Gameplay and Mechanics
ARC Raiders is a third person extraction shooter focused on PvPvE. This means you go to the surface alone or in a group to search for loot. You fight against ARC enemies and other players. At the end, you must extract successfully to keep your loot. However, if you die, you lose all your equipment and collected items (except for certain secured containers). This creates a high risk when bringing valuable loot to the surface, but it also means you can gain a lot. High risk, high reward.
After each successful raid, you return to your base. There you can use collected resources to unlock or upgrade perks and skills. Some merchants allow you to buy or craft items and upgrade gadgets, weapons, or armor. You can go on expeditions alone or in small groups of up to three players.
Everyone in Speranza has their own agenda. Characters will assign you missions such as retrieving rare resources from the surface. Delivering these resources rewards you with extra money and materials that can be spent on further upgrades.
The skill tree is divided into three sections: Survival, Mobility, and Conditioning. This allows you to adapt your skills to your playstyle. With Survival skills you can loot faster and move more quietly, with Mobility you can outmaneuver your enemies, and with Conditioning you improve your strength and stamina. The game also offers a wide variety of weapons suitable for every playstyle or enemy type, from railguns and energy weapons to classic rifles, SMGs, or shotguns. There are also traps and grenades, so it never gets boring.
Release Details and Editions
ARC Raiders launches today, October 30, 2025, for PC via Steam and the Epic Games Store. It will also be available for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series. The game releases around 10 AM UTC. There is no early access, meaning all players, regardless of edition, start at the same time. The Standard Edition costs €39.99 on Steam, while the Deluxe Edition costs €59.99. However, with an ARC Raiders key you can already save a lot.
The Deluxe Edition also includes the “Astro Cosmetic Pack”, “Valente Outfit”, 2,400 “Raider Tokens” (in game currency), and more cosmetic items. Additionally, both editions come with a pre order bonus, the Lucky Duck Bundle and the Bruiser Bundle.
Conclusion: Why ARC Raiders is worth it
ARC Raiders brings a fresh experience to the beloved extraction shooter genre. With its atmospheric sci fi setting, high risk and reward factor, and intense PvPvE battles, Embark Studios achieves a balance between thrill and tactical depth. The mechanical ARC enemies provide a unique enemy design, while the progressive skill system and varied gear options ensure long term motivation.
If you enjoy games like Escape from Tarkov, The Cycle Frontier, or Dark and Darker, this is a fresh, visually stunning alternative. ARC Raiders combines the best elements of survival, shooting, and sci fi, wrapped in an immersive and risky adventure. A must play for everyone who loves teamwork, loot, and adrenaline.
Hey, I’m Kilian, but online you’ll probably know me as “Tux1243.” I've been part of the team for almost two years now, always trying to keep you in the loop with the latest and coolest gaming news. I also have a huge passion for doing deep dives and detailed analyses of entire game series and franchises. I love getting to the bottom of things and exploring the little details and backstories that make game worlds so fascinating.
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