Embark Studios has officially announced that the next public playtest for ARC Raiders is scheduled for April 30, 2025. This upcoming session marks a significant milestone as it will, for the first time, include players on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S consoles, alongside PC users. This expansion aims to provide a broader testing environment and gather diverse feedback across all supported platforms.
ARC Raiders is a third-person, PvPvE (Player versus Player versus Environment) survival extraction shooter set in a post-apocalyptic world. Players assume the role of Raiders, venturing from the underground colony of Speranza to the surface in search of vital resources. The surface is fraught with dangers, including hostile ARC machines and competing Raiders, making each expedition a high-stakes endeavor. Success hinges on strategic planning, cooperation, and the ability to adapt to the unpredictable challenges of the game’s dynamic environment.
Originally announced as a free-to-play title, ARC Raiders has undergone a significant shift in its release model. Embark Studios has decided to launch the game as a premium title, priced at $39.99. Executive Producer Aleksander Grøndal explained that this change allows the development team to focus on delivering a more balanced, engaging, and replayable experience without the constraints often associated with free-to-play monetization strategies.
The decision to include console players in the upcoming playtest reflects Embark Studios’ commitment to ensuring a seamless and enjoyable experience across all platforms. By gathering feedback from a wider player base, the developers aim to fine-tune gameplay mechanics, address platform-specific issues, and optimize performance ahead of the game’s full release.
Players interested in participating in the April 30 playtest can sign up through the official ARC Raiders website or their respective platform’s store page. Embark Studios encourages all participants to provide detailed feedback, as community insights are invaluable in shaping the final stages of development.
ARC Raiders is set to launch in 2025 on PC via Steam and the Epic Games Store, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S. With its unique blend of cooperative and competitive gameplay, immersive world-building, and strategic depth, the game is poised to offer a compelling experience for fans of the survival shooter genre.
