ARC Raiders PvE Debate: Why Embark Is Protecting Its Core Gameplay

Embark Studios is not ruling out a permanent PvE mode for ARC Raiders, but CEO Patrick Söderlund says the studio has been cautious because removing PvP could weaken one of the game's defining features: the tension created by unpredictable encounters with other Raiders. Following a limited PvE matchmaking test, Embark is now considering how to accommodate different playstyles without changing what makes its extraction shooter distinctive.

The debate is no longer simply about whether the developer can add a PvE option. Söderlund says the technical work would not be particularly difficult. The bigger challenge is deciding how a separate mode would affect the overall experience, including player interactions, risk, and the in-game economy.

Embark Sees PvP as Part of ARC Raiders' Emotional Design

In an interview with The Game Business published on November 3, Söderlund explained that Embark originally hesitated to introduce PvE matchmaking because PvP contributes to the emotional experience it wants ARC Raiders to deliver.

The possibility of meeting another Raider creates uncertainty that AI enemies alone cannot fully reproduce. A stranger might cooperate, ignore a player, or attack when an opportunity appears. That uncertainty can turn an ordinary scavenging trip into a tense decision about whether to trust someone, avoid a confrontation, or risk losing valuable equipment.

Söderlund described this as part of the game's "core emotional loop." He argued that removing a substantial component of the experience could interfere with the design the studio originally intended. However, he also acknowledged that the team has since tested PvE and found that offering players a choice could work.

That distinction matters. Embark is not necessarily arguing that PvE is incompatible with ARC Raiders. Instead, it is trying to determine whether both experiences can coexist without undermining each other.

The PvE Test Revealed More Than Just Demand

Embark's limited PvE matchmaking test ran from October 13 to October 20, 2026. Players could choose between the standard PvPvE experience and a mode where Raiders could not damage one another.

The studio had already identified different playstyles within its audience. In its September announcement, Embark reported that 37% of players preferred friendly co-op, 27% preferred a mixture of cooperation and combat, and 34% preferred pure PvP. It also said that 51% of surveyed players were interested in a dedicated PvE option.

The test then provided a practical way to examine that interest.

The most revealing result came from executive producer Aleksander Grøndal. In the November 3 interview, he said almost 50% of all rounds played during the test took place on PvE servers.

But high participation did not mean every player wanted the same thing. Grøndal explained that some players who had initially requested PvE changed their minds after trying it, while others enjoyed the mode. Embark described the response as mixed and said it was still examining the data.

This suggests that asking for PvE and enjoying a PvE-only version of ARC Raiders are not necessarily the same thing. Some players may want fewer hostile encounters without wanting to lose the possibility of unexpected cooperation or conflict entirely.

The Real Design Challenge Is Preserving Risk and Reward

One of the most important details of the test was its loot adjustment. Embark reduced overall loot value in PvE sessions to compensate for the lower risk. It also increased baseline loot values slightly in standard PvPvE sessions during the test to help balance the two queues.

That decision highlights a central problem for any future PvE mode: extraction games depend on a relationship between danger and reward.

In standard ARC Raiders matches, players must weigh the value of continuing a run against the possibility of losing what they have collected. Other Raiders are part of that calculation. A PvE session removes one major source of danger, making it easier to scavenge, complete objectives, and extract without being attacked by another player.

If both modes offered identical rewards, players focused on efficiency could have a strong reason to choose the safer option. On the other hand, reducing rewards too aggressively could make PvE feel like a less worthwhile way to progress.

Embark therefore needs to consider more than a simple toggle. Loot value, extraction success rates, matchmaking populations, and the usefulness of collected equipment all influence whether the two queues remain appealing.

For players, this also affects how they approach resource collection. A safer raid may be attractive when completing objectives or gathering specific ARC Raiders items, but the reduced loot value could make it less efficient for maximizing overall rewards. The best choice depends on whether a player prioritizes consistency or higher-risk opportunities.

A Permanent PvE Mode Is Still Not Confirmed

The October test was explicitly temporary. Embark said the matchmaking toggle would be removed when the test ended, and that participation did not guarantee a permanent PvE option. The studio also warned that a future version could look significantly different from the test.

The test excluded several high-tension conditions, including Night Raids, Hidden Bunker, Locked Gate, Frigate, and Redirection, according to the post-test information. This is another indication that Embark sees certain activities as especially dependent on the uncertainty of player encounters.

Söderlund's latest comments show that the studio is more open to player choice than it was before. However, neither his interview nor the test results confirm a permanent release date, final rules, or a complete PvE progression system.

The next decision will likely depend on whether Embark can create a meaningful alternative without making the standard PvPvE experience less engaging. That includes monitoring queue times and ensuring that splitting players between modes does not damage matchmaking quality, particularly during quieter hours or in lower-population regions.

ARC Raiders' Future May Depend on Offering Different Kinds of Tension

The strongest takeaway from Embark's comments is that the studio is reconsidering how players should experience ARC Raiders, not abandoning its original design.

A permanent PvE option could make the game more accessible to players who prefer cooperative exploration and lower-pressure progression. At the same time, the standard mode needs to retain the unpredictable encounters that distinguish it from a conventional PvE shooter.

The challenge is finding a balance where neither group feels that its preferred experience has been compromised. The PvE test demonstrated substantial interest, but its mixed response also shows why participation numbers alone cannot determine the final design.

For now, ARC Raiders remains a PvPvE game, and the limited PvE toggle has ended. Embark has indicated that it is evaluating the results, but players should wait for an official announcement before treating a permanent PvE mode as confirmed.