ARC Raiders fans have been asking for a strictly PvE matchmaking option for the extraction shooter for some time, and it looks like Embark Studios has finally heard those requests. The studio has confirmed that a PvE matchmaking mode will soon enter beta testing, giving you the chance to take on the ARC threat without worrying about other players.
Starting October 13 and running until October 20, you’ll be able to enable the PvE matchmaking toggle when loading into ARC Raiders. The mode will feature no player-to-player damage, instead focusing entirely on fighting the ARC and interacting with other players—but there’s no guarantee the mode will stick around permanently.
PvE Is Coming To ARC Raiders… For A Week
Embark Studios has published a lengthy blog post explaining why it’s experimenting with PvE matchmaking and how the system will work.
Interestingly, ARC Raiders was originally conceived as a PvE co-op game before evolving into the PvPvE experience it is today. After looking at player data, Embark found that a significant portion of the community was looking for a less hostile experience, particularly when it came to encounters with other players.
With that in mind, Embark is now giving PvE matchmaking a one-week trial. You’ll still share their lobbies with other Raiders, but there will be absolutely no player-to-player damage, turning each session into a purely cooperative experience.
There are some restrictions, however. Major Map Conditions such as Night Raids and the upcoming Frigate won’t be available in PvE matchmaking, as these are designed around creating a higher level of tension. Solos, Duos and Trios will also be able to play together in the same sessions, while you can freely switch between PvE and the standard PvPvE experience.
There are some drawbacks to compensate for the reduced risk, too. Loot value will be lowered across the maps, while the ARC will behave differently when you’re downed. Rather than ignoring you, ARC enemies may lock back onto you if you attempt to crawl away, adding some extra tension to an otherwise more relaxed experience.
While this may sound like a straightforward win for PvE fans, Embark is making it clear that this is still an experiment. The studio will closely monitor the in-game economy and matchmaking times throughout the trial, and there’s no guarantee that PvE matchmaking will become a permanent feature.
If the experiment doesn’t work, Embark says there may be no PvE mode in the future. However, the system could also be tweaked and brought back for another trial based on the results. Either way, the studio has promised to keep communication open with the community throughout the process.
Will you be playing in the PvE lobbies? Leave your thoughts down in the comments, and join the official Insider Gaming Discord server.
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Charlie is one of Insider Gaming's Guides Writers who's been in the gaming industry for a little over a year. Unfortunately for him, he enjoys every video game genre out…
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