Arc Raiders announces a new PvE "test" to accommodate its surprisingly friendly players

Embark Studios has unveiled a trial for Arc Raiders that will provide players with the option to engage in a PvE version of the game, devoid of the traditional player-versus-player combat. This move comes as a response to a segment of the player base that seems uninterested in inflicting harm on their fellow raiders. In a blog post on the official Arc Raiders website, executive producer Aleksander Gröndal divulged that the PvE test will be active from October 13th to 20th, allowing participants to pick between the new, more cooperative iteration of Arc Raiders and the standard, more aggressive version.

Gröndal also recapped Arc Raiders' inception as a cooperative PvE shooter with looting mechanics, and Embark's later pivot towards the extraction shooter we are familiar with today. However, unexpectedly, many players are approaching the game with a collaborative mindset, despite the incentive to eliminate their fellow players, hence transforming it into what Gröndal describes as the "Extraction (Don't) Shooter".

His analysis is backed by data, revealing that approximately 37 percent of raiders are friendly co-op players, a figure that has increased since the game's launch. Conversely, around 34 percent are PvP-focused - a number that has remained constant since launch - while the remaining 27 percent are a blend of both. Undoubtedly, this suggests a strong demand for a more structured PvE mode.

Embark has responded with a test that will enable solo, duo, and trio queues. Some map conditions, such as night raids and hidden bunkers, which were designed with PvP in mind, will not be included. Moreover, the loot value during PvE matchmaking will be reduced to account for the diminished risk players face while participating in this mode.

However, Gröndal warns that the studio will be vigilant about the potential implications this test may have on the game's wider economy. He will be closely monitoring matchmaking times during the test. Furthermore, Gröndal notes that the test does not imply a permanent PvE mode will be introduced. Instead, he describes it as an indication that they are seriously contemplating it.

This strategic move by Arc Raiders, which coincides with Marathon's recent announcement of a PvE mode, is seen by some as an indication of a broader shift away from the hardcore PvP extraction genre. However, it is more accurately characterized as a reactive accommodation to the game's community, rather than a necessary move to re-engage lost players.

While it's true that Arc Raiders is no longer as popular as it once was, this shift appears more as a response to the game's community, rather than a necessary step to regain lost players. If Embark decides to adopt PvE as a permanent game mode, one must wonder how it might affect future updates and how it might necessitate updates that cater to both PvP and PvE players. The potential for more intense matchmaking as a result? An intriguing question for the future.