What to know

  • Arc Raiders focuses on PvPvE gameplay—combining AI combat with player-versus-player tension.​
  • There is no standalone PvE mode at launch, but PvE elements remain heavily featured in missions and world events.​
  • The open beta includes cooperative play, where squads tackle objectives against mechanical enemies together.​
  • Developers have hinted at the possibility of limited-time PvE-only events or future expansions depending on player demand.​​

Arc Raiders’ development journey has been a rare case of genre reinvention. Originally revealed as a cooperative PvE shooter, it evolved into a PvPvE extraction game that mixes suspenseful player encounters with intense AI battles. The shift was driven by testing feedback and Embark Studios’ vision for emergent multiplayer gameplay.

How Arc Raiders blends PvE and PvP

The current gameplay centers on dynamic extraction runs—missions where players scavenge for resources while battling ARC machines and navigating threats from rival squads. These runs blur the line between cooperative and competitive play, forcing constant decision-making about when to fight, flee, or extract.​

Each environment, from the Dam Battlegrounds to Acerra Spaceport, includes varying AI aggression levels, weather hazards, and loot systems. Events like Night Raids temporarily heighten PvE difficulty and reward coordination among squads.​

Why fans want a PvE mode

Many long-time followers of Arc Raiders still hope for a pure PvE mode. Since the game was initially showcased as a cooperative sci-fi action title, some players feel nostalgic for that vision. Discussion threads on Reddit and Steam feature calls for a dedicated PvE experience—potentially as limited-time “raids” or special events featuring boss-level ARC encounters without PvP interference.​​

What developers have said

Embark Studios has not confirmed a full PvE mode’s arrival, but their openness to community feedback leaves the door open. Reforge Gaming and insider discussions suggest the studio might explore PvE-exclusive missions or rotating events post-launch, especially if player engagement supports it.​​

For now, Arc Raiders’ strength lies in its unpredictable blend of human and machine opposition—where every extraction is both a cooperative struggle and a competitive risk.

Arc Raiders does not yet offer a dedicated PvE mode, but it’s rich in PvE-driven content through its hybrid design. You’ll still battle AI enemies, complete cooperative missions, and participate in world events that emphasize teamwork, even as the PvP threat adds extra tension. Whether a full PvE mode arrives later will depend on how the community shapes the game’s evolving future.