ARC Raiders Wiki - Complete Guide

Overview

ARC Raiders is an upcoming free-to-play cooperative third-person shooter and action-adventure game developed by Embark Studios, a Stockholm-based company founded by former EA DICE executives Patrick Söderlund, Stefan Strandberg, and Rob Runesson. Initially unveiled at The Game Awards in 2021, the game has undergone a significant conceptual evolution since its original announcement. Originally pitched as a purely player-versus-environment (PvE) survival shooter, Embark Studios later announced that ARC Raiders would be retooled to incorporate player-versus-player (PvPvE) elements, transforming it into a competitive extraction shooter set within the same rich, post-apocalyptic universe.

The game is currently in development for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S. By adopting a free-to-play model, Embark Studios is aiming to lower the barrier to entry for a genre that is typically associated with premium buy-in prices. Despite the drastic shift in its core gameplay loop, ARC Raiders retains its striking visual identity, unique premise, and the overarching narrative of humanity struggling to survive against a relentless, mechanized threat. The transition to an extraction shooter format places a heavier emphasis on risk-versus-reward gameplay, tactical squad coordination, and environmental awareness, setting it apart from traditional looter-shooters.

Gameplay Mechanics

As an extraction shooter, the gameplay loop of ARC Raiders centers around dropping into a hazardous map, scavenging for valuable resources and technology, engaging in combat, and successfully extracting to a designated safe zone. If a player dies before extracting, they lose the gear and loot they brought into the session, creating a tense, high-stakes atmosphere. However, the game distinguishes itself from genre stalwarts like Escape from Tarkov or Delta Force: Hawk Ops through its dynamic PvEvP mechanics and movement systems.

Combat Systems

Combat in ARC Raiders is designed to be a chaotic but methodical dance. Players will face off against two primary threats: the ARC (Autonomous Robot Colonists) and other human players. The ARC forces range from nimble, dog-like hunters to massive, towering mechanized warships that function as dynamic boss-level encounters on the map. Players must use a mix of conventional ballistic weapons, improvised explosives, and advanced alien technology scavenged from fallen ARC units to survive. Ammunition and resources are scarce, meaning every shot must be calculated, and engaging in a firefight with a squad of human players often attracts the attention of nearby ARC patrols, turning a tactical duel into a massive three-way battle.

Mobility andTraversal

Movement is heavily emphasized in ARC Raiders. Players are equipped with a grappling hook and a futuristic glider, allowing for seamless vertical traversal. The maps are built with immense verticality in mind, featuring ruined skyscrapers, deep canyons, and massive industrial complexes. The grappling hook can be used to quickly scale structures, escape the grasp of an ARC unit, or swing into a favorable sniping position. The glider allows players to cross large gaps, safely descend from high altitudes, or ambush enemy squads from above. Mastering this movement system is arguably just as important as mastering the game's shooting mechanics.

The Extraction Loop

At the start of a session, players choose their loadout and drop into the map. As they explore, they must locate and secure high-tier loot, which is stored in a limited-capacity inventory. When players decide they have gathered enough—or if the zone becomes too dangerous—they must call for an extraction. This initiates a countdown timer and alerts everyone on the map to the extraction location. Players must then defend their position from both ARC units and greedy human players looking to intercept the loot. Successfully boarding the extraction craft secures the loot for the player's permanent stash, which can then be used to upgrade base facilities, craft better gear, or take into harder, more lucrative raids.

Story & Setting

ARC Raiders is set on a dystopian, retro-futuristic version of Earth. The world is not a barren wasteland, but rather an overgrown, post-apocalyptic landscape where nature has aggressively reclaimed the remnants of human civilization. Ruined cities are draped in vibrant vegetation, and the remnants of old-world technology stand as silent monuments to a fallen society.

The central antagonistic force is the ARC, a massive swarm of mechanical entities that descended from orbit. Originally believed to be alien in origin, the ARC are actually highly advanced, autonomous machines that were seemingly sent to Earth to strip-mine the planet of its resources. They do not negotiate, they do not surrender, and they adapt to human tactics with terrifying efficiency. Over the course of their invasion, the ARC has completely shattered Earth's centralized military forces, reducing humanity to scattered pockets of survivors living in underground bunkers and hidden settlements.

Players assume the role of "Raiders"—resilient survivors who refuse to simply hide. Instead of cowering in the dark, Raiders venture out into the open world to scavenge ARC technology, repurposing the invaders' own weapons and armor against them. The narrative explores themes of resilience, human ingenuity, and the cost of survival. The transition to a PvPvE extraction format fits the lore perfectly: in a world of extreme scarcity, human factions are just as likely to fight each other over scraps of ARC tech as they are to fight the machines themselves. The story is delivered through environmental storytelling, detailed item descriptions, and evolving world states rather than traditional linear cutscenes, allowing players to piece together the history of the invasion through their own exploration.

Key Features

• PvPvE Extraction Gameplay: A unique blend of competitive multiplayer and cooperative PvE where human squads and ruthless ARC machines share the same battlefield, creating unpredictable and dynamic combat scenarios.
• Advanced Mobility: A robust traversal system featuring a grappling hook and a glider, empowering players to scale massive structures, evade enemies, and control the vertical battlefield with ease.
• Dynamic ARC Encounters: The robotic enemies are not static; they patrol, react to player gunfire, and can interrupt PvP battles. Facing off against massive, boss-level ARC units requires strategic coordination and offers high-reward loot.
• Stunning Visual Design: Built using Embark's proprietary state-of-the-art game engine, the game features breathtaking lighting, highly detailed environments, and a striking contrast between lush, overgrown nature and sleek, brutalist machine architecture.
• Free-to-Play Model: Fully free to download and play, with a commitment from the developers to avoid pay-to-win mechanics, ensuring that all gameplay-affecting items are earned through in-game activities.
• Deep Progression Systems: A meta-game progression loop where loot successfully extracted from raids is used to upgrade personal safehouses, craft advanced weaponry, and unlock new tactical gear for future deployments.
• Lived-in World: A richly realized post-apocalyptic setting that tells a story of human defiance through environmental details, abandoned settlements, and repurposed alien technology.

Tips for Beginners

• Master Your Grappling Hook Early: The grappling hook is your most valuable tool, not just for travel, but for combat. Practice aiming it at specific points on ARC machines or enemy players to quickly close gaps or escape dangerous situations. Verticality is your best defense.
• Treat Gunfire as an Aggro Magnet: Unlike traditional shooters where you can freely engage enemies, firing your weapon in ARC Raiders is a strategic decision. Unsuppressed gunfire will attract the attention of roaming ARC squads, which can easily overwhelm you if you are already injured or low on ammunition.
• Know When to Walk Away: The golden rule of extraction shooters is that loot left on the ground is better than loot lost in a firefights. If you encounter a heavily armed human squad or a massive ARC boss early in your raid, do not be afraid to sneak away. Greed is the fastest way to lose your gear.
• Manage Your Inventory Space Wisely: You have a very limited amount of space in your backpack. Do not fill it with low-tier ammunition or common resources if you are near a high-value area. Prioritize carrying medical items, a reliable sidearm, and space for a single high-value piece of ARC technology.
• Scout the Extraction Zone Before Calling It In: Never blindly call for an extraction without surveying the area first. Use high ground to look for enemy snipers or patrolling ARC units. Once the extraction timer starts, you become a beacon for every hostile entity on the map.
• Leverage the Environment: The overgrown ruins of Earth are filled with destructible elements and environmental hazards. You can shoot out support beams to drop debris on ARC units, or use the dense foliage to break line of sight with human players while you heal or reload.
• Stick With Your Squad: While solo play is possible, ARC Raiders is balanced heavily around team play. A coordinated squad of three or four can split duties—having one player act as a dedicated scout while others handle looting or crowd control dramatically increases your chances of a successful extraction.

FAQ

Is ARC Raiders still a PvE game?

No, ARC Raiders has transitioned from a purely PvE cooperative shooter into a PvPvE extraction shooter. While you will still spend a significant amount of time fighting the robotic ARC forces, you will also be sharing the map with other human players who can—and likely will—attack you to steal your loot. However, you can still choose to team up with friends to take on the environment together.

Is the game actually free-to-play, or is it pay-to-win?

ARC Raiders is completely free-to-play. Embark Studios has explicitly stated that the game will not feature pay-to-win mechanics. The in-game store and monetization will be focused on cosmetic items, such as character skins, weapon camos, and emotes. Any gear or weapons that actually affect gameplay balance must be earned by playing the game and extracting loot.

What platforms will ARC Raiders be available on?

The game is currently slated for release on PC (via Steam), PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S. Embark Studios has also confirmed that the game will feature full cross-play and cross-progression, meaning you can play with friends regardless of their platform and keep your loot and progression if you switch platforms.

Do I lose all my loot if I die in a raid?

Yes. As an extraction shooter, ARC Raiders employs a "lose what you bring" mechanic. If you die before reaching an extraction point, you will lose all the gear you brought into the raid, as well as any new loot you picked up along the way. However, you will not lose the permanent upgrades you have made to your base stash or any items you successfully extracted in previous sessions.

Why did the developers change the game from PvE to PvPvE?

According to Embark Studios, the decision to pivot to an extraction shooter was born out of a desire to increase the tension and stakes of the gameplay loop. During development, the team found that the risk-versus-reward dynamic of extracting against human opponents perfectly matched the desperate, scavenging nature of the game's lore. They felt the PvPvE format delivered a more unique and emotionally resonant experience than a standard cooperative shooter.