Arc Raiders tests PvE mode as studio embraces player feedback on cooperative play

Arc Raiders developer Embark Studios is testing a pure PvE mode for the extraction shooter, available from October 13-20, 2026. During the test week, players can toggle between the standard PvPvE experience and a PvE-only session where player-to-player damage is disabled and the focus shifts entirely to cooperative survival against the ARC threat.

The PvE test will support Solos, Duos, and Trios in the same matchmaking pool. Players switching between modes won't see their PvPvE matchmaking rating affected. Some major map conditions including Night Raids, Hidden Bunker, Locked Gate, and Frigate will remain exclusive to standard matchmaking, as these are designed with higher tension in mind.

Embark has been cautious about committing to a permanent PvE mode. "It's possible that this will not work," the studio said. "This test is not a promise that there will be a PvE mode in the future, but take this as an indication that we are seriously considering it." The company noted that any future version could look significantly different from the test.

The decision to test PvE comes after player data revealed a stark divide in how Arc Raiders' community engages with the game. According to Embark's internal data, 37% of players are friendly co-op focused, 27% are mixed players, and 34% identify as pure PvP players. Over 70% of friendly-focused players and 40% of PvP players expressed a desire for fewer hostile encounters. Across all surveyed players, 51% have expressed interest in a dedicated PvE option.

"We have to respect that some players want to enjoy the game in their own way, and we can't ignore what the data is telling us," Embark stated. Friendly players have consistently grown as a segment since launch, while the pure PvP population has remained stable. Friction points include friendly players attempting to avoid combat entirely and frustration around ratting and camping tactics.

The PvE test arrives alongside the Frozen Trail update on October 8, which introduces customizable outposts with new weapon upgrades and a research bench. This new crafting station allows players to unlock weapons and items through a research system without relying solely on blueprint drops. According to executive producer Aleksander Grøndal, players can find research points in the world and choose which blueprints to pursue, offering an alternative to RNG-dependent grinding. The Frozen Trail update also adds an assault rifle, hip-fire revolver, grappling hook, and rope grenades.

Recent months have seen player numbers decline, partly due to Embark's shift to bi-yearly content updates. The studio hopes these changes will help recapture early momentum. For context, Marathon, a competing extraction shooter, added PvE modes in July and saw a temporary player count boost that did not sustain.