Arc Raiders Tester Discovers PvE Players Matched in Softer Lobbies, While PvP Gamers Face Tougher Competition with Dual Accounts

In Arc Raiders, players can be unexpectedly generous allies in the harsh post-apocalyptic landscape, but they can just as easily turn on you for a quick score. What if you could influence who you meet in the game? One player decided to put this to the test.

YouTuber Domi created two distinct accounts in Arc Raiders to explore whether matchmaking varies based on playstyle. One account leaned heavily into PvP, embodying an aggressive, shoot-first mentality, while the other focused on PvE, steering clear of conflict with other players.

Domi discovered that the aggressive account typically matched with other players who shared that same combative approach. At one point, he even asked an opponent if they also preferred to attack first. After confirming his hypothesis, they engaged in a fierce battle.

Conversely, the friendly account enjoyed a much more relaxed experience. “Everyone is being chill and nice,” Domi remarked after encountering nine cooperative players in a row. “No one shot me. In fact, no one even tried to shoot me.”

This aggression-based matchmaking isn’t just a theory from a YouTuber. In a discussion with an outlet, Embark Studios’ art director Robert Sammelin explained that matchmaking is quite intricate, analyzing player behavior to create appropriate matches. While other factors, like your loadout, may also influence matchmaking, it’s clear that your actions play a significant role in the type of players you attract. That raider who interrupted your extraction might just be a reflection of your own gameplay energy.

Arc Raiders’ producer mentioned that “the work is just beginning” on this extraction shooter and announced a holiday gift of 1,000 tokens for all players, emphasizing their commitment to long-term development.