Arc Raiders Considers Split Into PvE and PvP Modes
- Executive producer Aleksander Grøndal discusses the potential split of Arc Raiders into PvE and PvP modes.
- A limited PvE test is set to run from October 13 to October 20, 2023.
- Player data indicates a significant portion of the community desires less hostility and more PvE options.
Arc Raiders may eventually be split into Player vs. Environment (PvE) and Player vs. Player (PvP) modes. In an interview with GamesRadar+, executive producer Aleksander Grøndal remarked that the concept of a more peaceful version of Arc Raiders is “possible.”
Grøndal noted that the community is already divided in its preferences for gameplay styles. He stated, “If the game eventually will represent that? Quite possibly. I think it’s important to respect how the players want to enjoy the game.”
The upcoming limited PvE test will allow players to opt into matchmaking where Raiders cannot harm each other. This test will include solo, duo, and trio players in the same sessions but will not involve Night Raids or the forthcoming Frigate.
This test is scheduled to occur from October 13 to October 20, 2023. Grøndal emphasized that the test aims to determine the best way to implement PvE elements but acknowledged that it might be “somewhat limited around some of the higher-end stuff.”
In a recent blog post, Embark Studios elaborated on the evolution of Arc Raiders, explaining that the original vision was for a raid-based PvE co-op game with looting mechanics prior to their pivot to the current PvPvE Extraction format.
The studio’s player data reveals insights into player preferences: 37 percent prefer cooperative gameplay, 34 percent are strictly PvP players, and 27 percent alternate between the two. Interestingly, over 70 percent of cooperative players and 40 percent of PvP players have expressed a desire for fewer hostile interactions, while 51 percent want a dedicated PvE option.
However, there are disclaimers regarding the upcoming test; Embark has stated that “it’s possible that this will not work,” and that the test does not guarantee a future PvE mode. “But take this as an indication that we are seriously considering it,” the studio concluded.
In related news, it has been revealed that adaptations of Arc Raiders and The Finals into film and television formats are in development, with Embark collaborating with Chernin Entertainment, known for producing the successful Backrooms horror film.
News Courtesy of Eurogamer
