“We need to understand what the need is here” - Arc Raiders studio still undecided about the future of PvE despite a seemingly successful test

Arc Raiders developer Embark Studios has concluded testing for a dedicated PvE mode that proved unexpectedly popular with players. The limited-time test generated over 30 million PvE sessions, and feedback from the community was generally positive. Players had long requested a cooperative alternative to the game’s traditionally competitive PvP focus.

However, despite these encouraging results, Embark has not yet committed to making PvE a permanent feature. Executive producer Aleksander Grøndal revealed that the studio is currently conducting a detailed analysis of the test data to evaluate whether implementing a dedicated PvE mode aligns with the game’s long-term direction. While Grøndal was initially skeptical about adding PvE, the strong player engagement during the test has prompted reconsideration.

The studio is weighing multiple factors in their decision, signaling that the test may have demonstrated the game’s potential to support a broader range of player types and preferences. This reflects a common challenge for live-service games: balancing their core design philosophy with opportunities to expand their audience.

Sources

• “We need to understand what the need is here” - Arc Raiders studio still undecided about the future of PvE despite a seemingly successful test
• Arc Raiders’ executive producer was ‘a bit skeptical’ about adding PvE, but after the successful test the team needs to decide ‘what we want to do going forward’