I Only Play Arc Raiders As A PvE Game, But PvE Servers Miss The Point
Embark Studios is conducting a one-week test of a PvE mode for extraction shooter Arc Raiders, available October 13-20, 2026. During the test, players can toggle between the standard PvPvE experience and a purely cooperative mode where player-to-player damage is disabled. Solos, duos, and trios will share the same lobbies in PvE sessions, with gameplay focused on defeating AI enemies and cooperative dynamics. Loot rewards will be lower in PvE mode due to reduced stakes, though AI enemies will target downed players to maintain tension.
The announcement follows earlier testing of a PvE condition on Chinese beta servers. The new toggle provides more accessible PvE gameplay without requiring specific map conditions.
Player demand drove the decision. A recent survey showed 51% of Arc Raiders players expressed interest in a dedicated PvE option. Embark’s population data reveals 37% identify as “friendly co-op” players (growing since launch), 34% as pure PvP players, and 27% as mixed players. Strikingly, over 70% of friendly players and 40% of PvP players want fewer hostile encounters.
During the test, Embark will monitor player economy metrics and matchmaking times. However, the studio has not committed to making PvE permanent—future availability depends on test results.