Arc Raiders could eventually be split into PvE and PvP, says executive producer
Arc Raiders may eventually be divided into separate PvE and PvP experiences, according to executive producer Aleksander Grøndal from developer Embark Studios. Speaking ahead of the studio’s upcoming limited PvE test, Grøndal acknowledged that the player community has naturally split between those who prefer cooperative player-versus-environment gameplay and those who favor competitive player-versus-player matches.
“The community is already split along those lines,” Grøndal explained, noting that if the game eventually reflects this division, it would be “quite possibly” something they’d pursue. The executive emphasized the importance of respecting how players want to enjoy the game, even if it diverges from the original design vision.
However, Grøndal cautioned that implementing such a split would present significant technical and design challenges. The studio would need to determine exactly what separating PvE and PvP experiences would entail, particularly regarding shared progression, items, and other interconnected systems that could complicate a full division.
The upcoming limited PvE test will serve as a gauge of player interest in a pure cooperative mode. This test period could provide valuable data to inform future decisions about whether a permanent split would be viable.