Embark Studios is exploring the possibility of splitting Arc Raiders into separate player-versus-environment and player-versus-player experiences, according to the game's executive producer. The studio plans to test a dedicated PvE mode next week to gauge whether the division makes sense for the game's long-term direction.
Aleksander Grøndal acknowledged that the player base has naturally fractured along these lines and that respecting how different groups want to engage with the game matters, even if it diverges from the original design philosophy. He noted that implementing such a split would present operational challenges that the team needs to work through carefully.
Testing the PvE concept
The limited test running from October 13th to 20th will let players opt into matchmaking where Raiders cannot damage one another. Solo, duo, and trio players will be placed into the same sessions, though Night Raids and the upcoming Frigate mode are excluded from this initial trial. Grøndal explained that the test scope is intentionally restricted because certain features could affect the overall experience if included.
Embark's internal player data reveals the extent of the community split. Thirty-seven percent identify as friendly co-op players, 34 percent prefer pure PvP, and 27 percent move between both styles. However, interest in a dedicated PvE option runs deeper: over 70 percent of cooperative players and even 40 percent of competitive players have indicated they want fewer hostile encounters, while 51 percent of the surveyed playerbase expressed interest in a standalone PvE mode.
A shift from original vision
The game's journey to its current form reflects a significant creative pivot. When Arc Raiders was first conceived seven years ago, the vision centred on a raid-based cooperative experience with looting mechanics. That concept showed early promise but encountered substantial obstacles, prompting Embark to reset development and build the high-tension extraction adventure that launched as a hybrid PvPvE experience.
The studio has been transparent about the uncertainties surrounding this test. Embark stated plainly that the PvE experiment might not work and that the trial does not guarantee a dedicated PvE mode will arrive in the future. The studio framed the test as a serious exploration of player preferences rather than a commitment to implementation.
Grøndal's comments suggest Embark is willing to reshape the game around how its audience actually plays, even when that differs from initial design intentions. The October test will provide concrete data on whether splitting the modes enhances or fragments the experience. Results from the trial will likely inform whether Arc Raiders eventually offers both cooperative and competitive paths, or whether the current hybrid approach remains the studio's focus.
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