As the countdown for the October 30th launch of ARC Raiders ticks into its final days, the hype among the community is palpable. Following a massively successful server slam event that gave many players their first taste of the PvPvE extraction shooter, Embark Studios' Executive Producer (EP) sat down for an extensive interview, revealing that what players experienced was merely the tip of the iceberg.

The Tip of the Iceberg: Server Slam vs. Full Release

For many, the server slam was an impressive vertical slice of the game. However, according to the EP, it was a deliberately limited experience designed primarily as a technical stress test.

The progression in the test capped out after about five hours, but the full game will feature a much deeper system. Players at launch can expect a wealth of new content that was held back, including:

• More Maps: The server slam featured only one map. The full release will have four launch maps, with tantalizing rumors of a mysterious fifth map called Stella Montes that Raiders will have to figure out how to access.
• Vastly Expanded Arsenal: A significant number of higher-rarity weapons, equipment, and utility items like zip lines and the shroud cloak were absent from the test.
• Game-Changing Attachments: Legendary weapon attachments will completely alter how a weapon functions, with one example given of an attachment that turns a pistol into a multi-shot shotgun.

A Universe to Explore, Not Just a Game to Play

A core focus for Embark is building a world that players want to immerse themselves in, not just extract from. The EP spoke passionately about moving beyond the standard extraction shooter loop to create a rich universe.

To that end, the full game will feature a Codex system, where players can collect journal entries and lore fragments to piece together the history of Speranza, the nature of the ARC robots, and the mysteries of the underground tunnels. The team's goal was to make a world that "wanted to be explored."

This philosophy also extends to the game's unique aesthetic. The developers consciously steered away from a "gloomy and uninviting" tone. Instead, ARC Raiders is set in a world that, while post-apocalyptic, is showing signs of rebirth and hope.

Respecting Your Time: A New Approach to Wipes

One of the most significant revelations was Embark's philosophy on progression wipes, a contentious staple in the extraction genre. The team felt that mandatory seasonal resets don't respect the player's time commitment.

Their solution is the Expedition Project, an opt-in system for players who want a fresh start.

This voluntary reset will come with unique bonuses, but it's entirely optional. Players who wish to continue with their established characters can do so without penalty, allowing everyone to play at their own pace.

The Pivot to PvPvE and Ambitious Post-Launch Plans

The EP was candid about the game's shift from a purely PvE experience to a PvPvE one, a change he was brought on board to help facilitate. He admitted the original PvE version "wasn't consistently fun" and lacked the long-term engagement needed for a live service title. The introduction of PvP was crucial to creating the dynamic and unpredictable gameplay loop they were aiming for.

Looking ahead, Embark is committed to ARC Raiders for the long haul, describing it as a "10-year game." A roadmap is expected around launch, and the team already has an "ambitious post-launch plan" that includes consistent updates with new maps, ARCs, quests, and gameplay systems. He even hinted at a significant update before Christmas, possibly tied to the mysterious Stella Montes.

With the full release just days away, it's clear that Embark Studios has been holding its best cards close to its chest. The server slam was just an appetizer, and the main course promises a deeper, richer, and more player-respecting extraction shooter experience.