Arc Raiders is set to release at the end of this month, so it's finally time to see where it lands in the race to make the next great extraction shooter.
While Bungie takes its big swing with a Marathon revival, newer outfit Embark Studios has been quietly working on its competitor: Arc Raiders, a third-person PvPvE shooter with the bones of Escape From Tarkov, the approachability of Gears of War, and the keen architectural eye of Swedish game development.
Last year, Marathon was the presumptive representative for the viability of big-budget extraction shooters going forward, but that balance shifted after an Arc Raiders tech test in May that was so fun it overshadowed the Marathon alpha happening at the same time. And now that Marathon's troubled development has led to its delay, Arc Raiders might have won this extraction-off before it even releases.
To prepare you for its imminent release, here's everything we know about Arc Raiders, including its release date, playtest dates, format, setting, and how its whole direction changed mid-development.
Arc Raiders release date
Arc Raiders is releasing on October 30, 2025 on Steam, Epic, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S. The news came in a reveal trailer during Summer Game Fest.
Don't worry, there shouldn't be any last-minute delays, as the official Arc Raiders X account posted at the beginning of October that it's still on track to release on October 30. Well, technically it posted "We're still on track to release *** ******* on October 30th," in a cheeky reference to Black Op's beta test starring out Arc Raiders name when mentioned in the chat.
We're still on track to release *** ******* on October 30th! pic.twitter.com/YfV6vacqfEOctober 6, 2025
The "accidental" censoring has actually led to a little more publicity for Arc Raiders now, so on top of it being one of the most wishlisted games on steam right now, we hope the servers can stand up on release day.
If only there was some sort of playtest that could help make this a reality...
When is the Arc Raiders playtest?
It might be releasing soon, but Arc Raiders is squeezing in one last playtest before it asks us to cough up some cash to play it for good. This final Arc Raiders playtest runs from October 17 to October 19, giving you two days to see how the extraction shooter has improved since its last playtest.
There's no sign-ups for this playtest, as everyone can take part, whether you're on Steam, Epic, or want to check Arc Raiders out on console (I won't judge). Just keep in mind that progress doesn't carry over to the full game, and access is going to be rolled out "slowly" on day one. So don't freak out too much if you can't get extractin' as soon as the test launches.
Well, technically, this is a 'server slam,' not a playtest, which sounds a bit cooler, but it's just a playtest, really. Albeit, one with a focus on slammin' those servers in preparation for October 30.
Oh, and you get a free backpack cosmetic to use in the full game if you take part in the playtest. Thanks Embark, I'll take that bribe.
Arc Raiders' latest trailers
We were treated to another cinematic trailer during Arc Raider's release date reveal. Check it out above!
Just like the last trailer, this is more of a mood piece than a gameplay demonstration. If you'd like to get a sense of how Arc Raiders plays, there's no shortage of Tech Test gameplay on YouTube.
While this isn't technically the newest trailer for Arc Raiders, as one of the latest, the "soundscapes" video is just a short demonstration on the game's sound design, so there's not much to pick apart from it. Well, apart from it confirming a new map: Blue Gate. It joins the other three maps we know about in Arc Raiders: Dam Battlegrounds, Acerra Spaceport, and the Buried City.
And if you'd like more rubber ducks in your life for some reason, the latest pre-order trailer has you covered.
How Arc Raiders' extraction gameplay works
If you've only ever heard the term "extraction shooter" and never gotten around to learning what it means, it goes like this in Arc Raiders: Players gear up with guns and gadgets from their personal stash of loot, then deploy into large maps full of other raiders and robots (PvPvE). Your goal is whatever you make of it. Often, you'll have a quest from a trader to find a certain piece of loot or kill a number of bots, but you can also pick your own goals, like hunting for rare loot or going after other players.
However you spend it, a match lasts a total of 30 minutes. You can extract from the map at any time by using an elevator or hatch, but if you die in the field, all of your gear and loot are lost.
Progression comes by completing trader quests, but in Arc Raiders, you also gain XP just for playing, which contributes to a persistent skill tree. In the Tech Test, I focused on upgrading my stamina so I could sprint longer, climb faster, and stealth around buildings.
What is Arc Raiders' setting?
Setting is usually the last thing on my mind in competitive shooters, but Arc Raiders' conceit sets the stage nicely: In the aftermath of Earth's invasion by a mysterious faction of murder bots that drove the remaining human population underground, you're a raider living in the last city of Speranza. Raiders have the risky job of venturing to the surface to scavenge for food, supplies, and yes, rare shotguns.
I like that Embark is delivering on the threat of the ARC. They're a constant presence in matches—flying drones patrolling around buildings, spherical flamethrower bots lying in wait in dark corners, sniper bots perched on the corners of skyscrapers.
Take on more than one at a time and you're probably toast—or if you survive, you'll have burnt precious healing items not easily replaced mid-mission. The ARC are best left alone, which gives Arc Raiders a stealthy flavor that sets it apart from Marathon and Tarkov (but will be recognizable to Hunt: Showdown vets). Open gunfire is rare as raiders try to get in and out of hot zones without drama.
Arc Raiders pivoted from co-op to PvP
If you vaguely recall hearing about Arc Raiders a long time ago but don't remember all this PvP stuff, you're not imagining things. When Arc Raiders was announced way back at the 2021 Game Awards with a stunning trailer, it was a purely PvE co-op shooter.
I was excited for that version of Arc Raiders, but in 2023, Embark officially pivoted to extraction instead. Womp womp.
Also, there's a chicken
Scrappy the Rooster is a dutiful companion who lives in Speranza and automatically scavenges raw materials while you're out raiding. It's thanks to him that you'll always have enough basic materials to go into the match packing heat. It's polite to thank him before going anywhere.
