The "Frozen Path" update for Arc Raiders has recently sparked heated discussion, but a larger transformation may be brewing. From October 13 to October 20, developer Embark will test a feature players have been requesting since launch: a pure PvE mode. Executive Producer Alexander Gröndal stated that this test is a crucial step aimed at answering questions the development team has had since launch—even if it ultimately leads to the game splitting in two.
Arc Raiders was originally conceived as a pure PvE game focused on battling giant robots, only shifting to a PvPvE hybrid mode late in development. The team also abandoned the free-to-play business model to go all-in on this extraction shooter, which unexpectedly became a success. Because of this, returning to a pure PvE mode sounds like an extremely risky move.
"Naturally, we hesitated at the time: 'Are we really taking this step? What will the impact be?'" said Gröndal. "We discussed this question for a long time, honestly, perhaps even too long."
Currently, Arc Raiders' PvE mode is only in a limited test phase, but Gröndal hints at significant potential for future development. When I asked if he envisioned Arc Raiders eventually splitting into two games—one being the current version we know, and the other a pure PvE version—he considered it "very likely."
"The player community has already naturally segmented itself by playstyle," he continued. "If the game follows this trend and splits in the future, it's entirely possible. I think it's important to respect how players want to play, even if it doesn't fully align with our original vision and design philosophy. It's feasible. Of course, this presents some challenges on the development side, and we need to clarify the true direction behind this."
Despite high player demand for a pure PvE mode, many are concerned about its impact on the overall Arc Raiders experience. Will it undermine the game's tension? Will the cherished camaraderie among teammates disappear when players no longer need to choose friendly interactions? Could it disrupt the in-game economy or fragment the player base?
"These are real risks, right?" Gröndal responded. "That's one reason why we're conducting a small-scale test focused only on certain high-level content. The PvE mode could affect, or potentially affect, the overall game experience. That's why we're launching a test first to gather data and feedback, so we can carefully plan the best way forward."
"I think many of the concerns are valid, and there were differing voices within the studio, with arguments on both sides. It wasn't like everyone applauded when I proposed this test idea. Far from it; there were many genuine concerns internally. But ultimately, I felt we had to answer this question, not just for ourselves, but for all players."