Embark Studios has officially concluded the limited-time PvE test for ARC Raiders. Over the course of the one-week event, players completed more than 30 million matches. The development team noted that the volume of data is substantial and requires time for thorough analysis; they plan to announce the next steps in November.
PvE Test Recap: Core Rules and Player Feedback
The PvE test ran from October 13 to October 20. During these sessions, friendly fire was disabled, and all threats originated exclusively from AI-controlled ARC units. Matches supported solo players as well as duos and trios. To maintain balance, the value of loot in this mode was lower than in the standard PvPvE experience, and match outcomes did not affect players' MMR (Matchmaking Rating). This made the mode well-suited for casual play, map exploration, and practicing combat techniques against ARC units.
Community reception was polarized. Casual players appreciated the secure environment - free from the constant threat of ambushes by other players - which allowed them to complete objectives and explore the map at their own pace. Conversely, more hardcore players argued that the lower-value loot diminished the tension essential to an extraction-style game, and that the influx of resources could negatively impact the game's existing economy.
For those who accumulated a significant amount of materials during the test, many players prioritized using them to unlock ARC Raiders blueprints, crafting unique weapons and armor sets to improve their survivability during extractions.
Official Evaluation Criteria: Determining the Future of a Permanent PvE Mode
Embark Studios will not decide whether to make the PvE mode a permanent feature based solely on its popularity. The evaluation process considers several key metrics, including matchmaking queue times, the stability of the in-game economy, the potential fragmentation of the player base (between PvE and PvPvE modes), and the frequency of bugs. A large-scale, long-term shift of the player base toward PvE could lead to longer matchmaking times for the core game mode, while the introduction of lower-value loot could disrupt the game's overall resource loop - a concern the development team is approaching with great caution.
Ahead of the final announcement, the developers have opened two channels for feedback: players can share their thoughts in the PvE-test-feedback channel on the official Discord server, and some players may also receive targeted surveys. All player feedback will be taken into account during the evaluation process.
The matchmaking toggle exclusive to the current testing phase has been removed. All matches have reverted to the original PvPvE format - the classic, high-stakes extraction loop featuring both AI enemies and other human raiders. For those seeking a reliable way to secure high-tier loot, some players opt to buy ARC Raiders items directly, avoiding the losses that come with repeated failed extractions.
Strategies for Farming and Progression During the Interim
You may need to adjust your playstyle ahead of the official announcements expected in November. If you are a casual player who prefers PvE, be aware that there is currently no "safe mode" to fall back on. It is best to avoid entering high-risk zones with your most valuable gear; instead, use low-cost loadouts to familiarize yourself with item spawn locations and AI combat patterns, which will help minimize losses if a run goes wrong.
Blueprint progression remains a long-term goal. Unlocking many ARC Raiders items requires collecting components and blueprints over time. Regardless of whether a dedicated PvE mode becomes a permanent fixture, returns for a limited time, or is scrapped entirely, your progress - including blueprints, weapon attachments, and armor modules - will be preserved. Any effort you put into gathering these now will not go to waste.
Focus on completing daily and weekly contracts to steadily accumulate blueprint fragments and essential supplies, ensuring you are well-prepared for future updates.
Tailoring Your Approach
If you are a hardcore player focused on the PvPvE experience, feel free to continue climbing the ranks and hunting for high-value extraction loot - there is no need to worry too much about the status of a dedicated PvE mode. If your primary goal is to farm blueprints or complete missions, consider running with less expensive gear to avoid losing valuable equipment to other players.
For those who would like to see a permanent PvE mode, consider submitting constructive feedback - clearly outlining your suggestions for reward adjustments - to help the development team as they refine the game.
PvE Test Recap: Core Rules and Player Feedback
The PvE test ran from October 13 to October 20. During these sessions, friendly fire was disabled, and all threats originated exclusively from AI-controlled ARC units. Matches supported solo players as well as duos and trios. To maintain balance, the value of loot in this mode was lower than in the standard PvPvE experience, and match outcomes did not affect players' MMR (Matchmaking Rating). This made the mode well-suited for casual play, map exploration, and practicing combat techniques against ARC units.
Community reception was polarized. Casual players appreciated the secure environment - free from the constant threat of ambushes by other players - which allowed them to complete objectives and explore the map at their own pace. Conversely, more hardcore players argued that the lower-value loot diminished the tension essential to an extraction-style game, and that the influx of resources could negatively impact the game's existing economy.
For those who accumulated a significant amount of materials during the test, many players prioritized using them to unlock ARC Raiders blueprints, crafting unique weapons and armor sets to improve their survivability during extractions.
Official Evaluation Criteria: Determining the Future of a Permanent PvE Mode
Embark Studios will not decide whether to make the PvE mode a permanent feature based solely on its popularity. The evaluation process considers several key metrics, including matchmaking queue times, the stability of the in-game economy, the potential fragmentation of the player base (between PvE and PvPvE modes), and the frequency of bugs. A large-scale, long-term shift of the player base toward PvE could lead to longer matchmaking times for the core game mode, while the introduction of lower-value loot could disrupt the game's overall resource loop - a concern the development team is approaching with great caution.
Ahead of the final announcement, the developers have opened two channels for feedback: players can share their thoughts in the PvE-test-feedback channel on the official Discord server, and some players may also receive targeted surveys. All player feedback will be taken into account during the evaluation process.
The matchmaking toggle exclusive to the current testing phase has been removed. All matches have reverted to the original PvPvE format - the classic, high-stakes extraction loop featuring both AI enemies and other human raiders. For those seeking a reliable way to secure high-tier loot, some players opt to buy ARC Raiders items directly, avoiding the losses that come with repeated failed extractions.
Strategies for Farming and Progression During the Interim
You may need to adjust your playstyle ahead of the official announcements expected in November. If you are a casual player who prefers PvE, be aware that there is currently no "safe mode" to fall back on. It is best to avoid entering high-risk zones with your most valuable gear; instead, use low-cost loadouts to familiarize yourself with item spawn locations and AI combat patterns, which will help minimize losses if a run goes wrong.
Blueprint progression remains a long-term goal. Unlocking many ARC Raiders items requires collecting components and blueprints over time. Regardless of whether a dedicated PvE mode becomes a permanent fixture, returns for a limited time, or is scrapped entirely, your progress - including blueprints, weapon attachments, and armor modules - will be preserved. Any effort you put into gathering these now will not go to waste.
Focus on completing daily and weekly contracts to steadily accumulate blueprint fragments and essential supplies, ensuring you are well-prepared for future updates.
Tailoring Your Approach
If you are a hardcore player focused on the PvPvE experience, feel free to continue climbing the ranks and hunting for high-value extraction loot - there is no need to worry too much about the status of a dedicated PvE mode. If your primary goal is to farm blueprints or complete missions, consider running with less expensive gear to avoid losing valuable equipment to other players.
For those who would like to see a permanent PvE mode, consider submitting constructive feedback - clearly outlining your suggestions for reward adjustments - to help the development team as they refine the game.