What to know
- ARC Raiders helped push extraction shooters toward a broader audience.
- Marathon launches March 5 with a server event later this month.
- Sand and Hunger both enter early access in 2026.
- Competition is accelerating innovation across the genre.
You have likely noticed that extraction shooters no longer sit at the edges of the market. For years, the genre was defined by the punishing realism of Escape from Tarkov and the more approachable tension of Hunt: Showdown. In 2026, ARC Raiders has emerged as a clear middle ground. It blends structured objectives, readable combat, and manageable risk. You still feel pressure, but you are not overwhelmed by simulation-heavy systems.
That success has created momentum. Developers now see space for extraction shooters that are accessible without losing depth. Three upcoming titles stand out.
First is Marathon from Bungie. The studio confirmed a March 5, 2026 full launch across PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. A limited-time Server Slam event begins February 26, giving you early access to test servers and progression systems. Marathon shifts to a sci-fi setting and introduces named hero characters, each with distinct abilities. If you prefer grounded loadouts, the hero mechanics may feel unfamiliar. However, early previews emphasize tight gunplay and fast pacing. You get a more ability-driven layer on top of extraction fundamentals, rather than a full departure from them.
Next is Sand: Raiders of Sophie, developed by Hologryph. This title moves the genre into a dusty, steampunk world. Instead of risking only your character and backpack, you risk an entire customizable walker that your crew operates together. Squads can scale up to six players. The design echoes large-vehicle cooperation seen in shared-world games, but the stakes remain distinctly extraction-focused. Early access is scheduled for March 2026. If you enjoyed ARC Raiders’ squad synergy, Sand expands that concept into vehicle-based survival and transport risk.
Then there is Hunger from Good Fun Corporation, the team behind Hell Let Loose. Hunger shifts to an alternate Napoleonic France consumed by undead threats. You extract with real loot, develop professions through skill trees, and navigate a traversable social hub between runs. The setting leans darker and more atmospheric than ARC Raiders. Its early access window was recently delayed but remains expected in 2026. If you prefer slower pacing and layered progression systems, Hunger positions itself closer to immersive survival without reaching Tarkov-level complexity.
When multiple studios target the same core audience, each one must differentiate without alienating players. Marathon experiments with hero abilities. Sand redefines what you risk. Hunger deepens world-building and profession systems. Meanwhile, Embark continues evolving ARC Raiders in response to that pressure.
If you enjoyed ARC Raiders because it respects your time while still delivering tension, 2026 gives you options. You can choose ability-driven sci-fi, cooperative walker warfare, or undead survival in historical fiction. The genre is no longer niche. It is entering a phase where innovation is no longer optional.
