ARC Raiders

An extraction adventure on a hostile surface

ARC Raiders is an online multiplayer game from Embark Studios built around trips into a dangerous surface world. Raiders leave the relative safety of their settlement to search abandoned places for supplies and valuables, while mechanical ARC threats and other players can turn a run into a fight. The basic decision is familiar to extraction games: what to carry, when to press deeper, and when to leave with what has been found.

Embark presents the game as a blend of player-versus-environment and player-versus-player danger. ARC machines are a constant threat, but the presence of other Raiders means encounters can change quickly. Players may cooperate, avoid one another or compete for the same resources. The official guide stresses that no run is risk-free; success depends on balancing the value of further scavenging against the chance of losing a haul.

Solo runs and small squads

The game can be played alone or with a squad of up to three. A solo run offers more control over pace and decisions, while a group can split roles and support one another when an ARC machine or another Raider appears. Embark’s official beginner information describes both ways to head topside. The three-player cap makes the game a small-team extraction experience rather than a large squad battle.

ARC Raiders is online multiplayer, so it is not presented as a conventional offline story campaign. The focus is on repeated expeditions and the systems around them: gathering equipment, managing risk, and returning to continue preparing for another run. This structure can make preparation as important as aim. It also means players should check the game’s current service and account requirements on their platform before buying, particularly if they plan to play with friends on other systems.

Platforms and release

Embark’s launch information lists PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S and PC. The game launched on 30 October 2025, and the developer’s launch-day article is the most direct source for the date. Store availability and hardware requirements can change, so PC players should consult the current PC storefront listing for exact specifications rather than relying on older previews.

The official “everything you need to know” guide explains the setting and the team-size options, while platform storefront pages provide local availability. The release-day article also provides the latest publisher status at launch. This hub keeps the platform list to the systems named by the developer and avoids extrapolating to platforms not listed in the opened official material.

Editions and price

Embark’s pre-order guide lists a Standard Edition at $40 USD and a Deluxe Edition at $60 USD. Both include the base game; the Deluxe listing includes additional cosmetic or bonus items described in the official article. These are the publisher’s stated US prices, not a promise that every regional store displays the same total. Taxes, platform currency conversion and temporary discounts can make current checkout prices differ.

For buyers deciding between the two offers, the key distinction is access to the same core game versus added extras. The developer’s page is the source to check for the full and current contents of the Deluxe package. Limited-time Server Slam access was a test event rather than a permanent edition benefit, so it belongs in the timeline and should not be treated as a feature included with a purchase today.

Checking ratings and current details

The ESRB’s March 2026 guide rates ARC Raiders Teen (13+) for Violence and Blood, and notes Users Interact and In-Game Purchases. A matching PEGI listing could not be verified on PEGI’s public search. The same cautious approach applies to any content or feature not explicitly listed by Embark: it is better to leave a detail unconfirmed than to turn a preview statement into a current promise.

The practical overview is straightforward: ARC Raiders is an online extraction adventure for solo players or groups of up to three, on current PlayStation, Xbox and PC platforms, with hostile machines and other Raiders competing for attention on the surface. Embark’s official launch and pre-order pages provide the release date and edition prices; its guide explains the play loop and squad size.