Embark Studios Explains Why ARC Raiders Needs PvP Tension

Fans have been vocal about wanting a dedicated player versus environment mode for the upcoming shooter ARC Raiders. Embark Studios CEO Patrick Söderlund recently addressed these requests and explained why the team initially pushed back against the idea of splitting the game into separate modes.

Söderlund noted that while building a purely cooperative mode would be technically easy, it would fundamentally change the game. He believes that the unpredictable nature of PvP encounters adds a layer of tension that is core to the identity of the project. Without the threat of other players, the feeling of high stakes would disappear.

Even with these concerns, the team is listening to the community. They are currently looking at ways to satisfy those who want a calmer experience without losing the intensity that makes the extraction shooter stand out. We will keep you updated as the studio shares more details on how they plan to balance these two playstyles.