Embark Studios is set to introduce more endgame content to its cooperative PvE shooter, Arc Raiders, following player feedback regarding a lack of activities. Executive producer Aleksander Grøndal confirmed that the upcoming "Frozen Trail" update, launching October 8, will feature new repeatable activities designed to offer fresh challenges.
Despite a healthy daily player count of around 25,000 on Steam, Arc Raiders has seen a significant drop from its peak of over 480,000 concurrent players. The game's endgame has been criticized for its limited options, primarily consisting of defeating high-level bosses like the Queen and the Matriarch, or engaging in player-versus-player combat, which is made less appealing by the game's aggression-based matchmaking and reports of cheaters.
Grøndal acknowledged these concerns, stating that the team is aware of the desire for more endgame content. "Frozen Trail will bring some new things to do, repeatable activities that they can do and challenge themselves in completely new ways," he said. He also noted that the studio recognizes diverse player needs, with some players content with the existing trials and expeditions, while others seek more engagement, particularly in PvP.
To address the PvP aspect, Grøndal indicated that future updates will focus on providing better rewards for players engaging in battles against other raiders. "They don't really feel like there are enough rewards for them to play PvP outside of just doing the PvP itself," he explained. The studio's strategy moving forward is to implement tailored solutions rather than a single catch-all approach to cater to different player demands.
While "Frozen Trail" is described as a step in the right direction, Grøndal emphasized that it is part of a longer-term initiative. The team has further plans for addressing endgame content in subsequent updates, which will include smaller patches alongside larger expansions, occurring roughly six months after "Frozen Trail."