Arc Raiders developer Embark Studios is experimenting with a player-versus-environment (PvE) mode in its extraction shooter. Between October 13th and 20th, players can opt to toggle this mode, which pits them against deadly robots but removes player-to-player damage. This trial comes in response to an observed trend within the game's community.
Embark stated in an announcement that "a large and growing group of Raiders who come to the Rust Belt for the co-op and the ARC, not fighting with other Raiders." The studio views this segment of the player base as a core part of their community and aims to better support their preferences. Data shared by the studio indicates that players who exclusively engage in friendly co-op now outnumber those who solely participate in PvP. While the PvP player base has remained stable at 34% since launch, the number of mixed-activity players has decreased, with many transitioning to full PvE play.
The PvE mode being tested closely mirrors the standard Arc Raiders experience, with the primary distinction being the absence of player-versus-player combat. Consequently, the value of loot found in these PvE sessions is reduced to reflect the lower risk involved. Certain special events designed around unpredictable player interactions, such as Night Raids or Locked Gate scenarios, will not appear in PvE games.
To maintain a level of tension in the absence of player threats, Embark has made minor adjustments to enemy AI. For instance, AI enemies may re-acquire a downed player as a target if they attempt to crawl away, though they will ignore players who remain still. This adjustment aims to compensate for the missing PvP threat.
The development by Embark Studios mirrors trends seen in other extraction shooters. The genre has often relied on the inherent tension and uncertainty introduced by potential player conflict. However, like Arc Raiders, other titles are also exploring PvE options to cater to a broader player audience. Bungie, for example, is developing a PvE mode for its upcoming game, Marathon, also to appeal to players seeking cooperative experiences over competitive ones.