Arc Raiders Focuses on Teamwork, Not Player vs. Player Combat
Arc Raiders is an online multiplayer extraction shooter that blends PvE and PvP elements. You can dive in and take on NPC foes or, if you’re in the mood for some chaos, engage with player-controlled characters. However, for Embark Studios, the focus isn’t primarily on PvP, and they don’t plan to expand those features. In a recent interview, CEO Patrick Söderlund clarified that the team isn’t looking to introduce PvP leaderboards, as the PvP aspect is meant to create tension rather than serve as the foundation of the game. “We’ve had several discussions about Nemesis systems and various ideas,” he noted. “The beauty of this game lies in the absence of leaderboards; it’s not competitive. We don’t want to encourage that style of play. The core experience isn’t about shooting other players. You can do it if you choose, but it’s more about crafting tension.”
In Arc Raiders, there’s a risk-reward dynamic as you assess your surroundings. Söderlund mentioned that in earlier versions of the game, players weren’t visible, but adding them to the online multiplayer mix heightened the tension as you weighed your risks. “The game existed without other players for a long time,” he explained. “While it was fun in some areas, introducing other players and using subtle cues—like not knowing how many players are on the server or how many have perished—added a layer of suspense. You hear them firing their weapons, which is why audio plays a crucial role. You can hear encounters with Arc and other players, and see raider flares as they go down. I once returned to a playtest where the raider flares were removed, and I asked, ‘Why did you take those out?’ They hesitated, so I insisted they bring them back. They’re such an iconic part of this game.”
This tension, along with the various players you might encounter while navigating Arc Raiders, contributes to a vibrant and populated atmosphere that was lacking in earlier playtests. Söderlund reiterated that while player interactions are significant, they are just one aspect of the overall experience. The sound design, the enemies, and the world itself all play vital roles. On another note, Arc Raiders has faced scrutiny for utilizing AI for voice lines, but Embark Studios stands by the technology, asserting its advantages for both developers and players. Despite the challenges, the game has become a major success for the studio, attracting interest from film and television producers.
