Embark Contemplates Future of Arc Raiders’ PvE Mode
- Embark has completed its first test of a dedicated PvE mode for Arc Raiders.
- Executive producer Aleksander Grøndal states the team is analyzing data to determine the mode’s future.
- The recent update, Frozen Trail, has led to a spike in player numbers for the game.
Arc Raiders has recently concluded its inaugural test of a dedicated PvE mode, a development spurred by numerous player requests. Although feedback from the test has generally been positive, developer Embark has not yet clarified if this mode will become a permanent feature.
The uncertainty surrounding the mode’s future stems from Embark’s ongoing internal deliberations. In a conversation with MP1st, executive producer Aleksander Grøndal indicated that the team is currently sifting through the collected data while weighing several considerations.
“Now that we’ve concluded the PvE matchmaking toggle test, we’re doing a deep dive into what that means,” Grøndal explained. He noted past hesitations regarding the inclusion of such a mode, citing “historical reasons” that reference Arc Raiders’ origins as a purely PvE co-op shooter before its evolution into a PvPvE extraction shooter.
Since the game’s launch, two distinct player demographics have emerged: those who thrive on the unpredictability and heightened stakes of PvP, and those who prefer to explore the game’s extensive PvE mechanics devoid of player interference.
“I think the game has an appeal in its nature and that a certain player type wants to play the game without the stress,” Grøndal stated, suggesting that the feedback indicates the potential for accommodating various player preferences.
The challenge, according to Grøndal, lies in developing content that serves both player groups “without undermining the premise of the game itself.” To achieve this, Embark needs to pinpoint the authentic purpose of the PvE mode.
“We need to understand what the need is here,” he elaborated. “Is it more a chill side mode you can play between more intense PvPvE rounds? Is it more a challenge mode that you can test your skills against AI? Or perhaps it’s a full experience with PvE only?”
Grøndal has previously mentioned the possibility of offering two separate modes to cater to distinct player audiences, indicating that various options are on the table, even if no decisive answer is available at the moment. “All options will have different implications on how we build future game updates,” he added.
Additionally, Arc Raiders recently introduced its largest update to date, Frozen Trail, which has resulted in a significant increase in player numbers, reaching levels not seen in the last six months.
News Courtesy of Eurogamer
