ARC Raiders PvE test could lead to a permanent mode

Embark will test PvE matchmaking from October 13 to 20

ARC Raiders executive producer Aleksander Grøndal says a permanent split between PvE and PvP is possible, but Embark will first run a limited test from October 13 to 20, 2026. Speaking ahead of the trial covered on October 10, Grøndal said the community is already divided over how it wants to play and that the studio needs to define what a full PvE mode would include. Embark’s official test details confirm that the option is temporary.

PvE sessions remove Raider damage but keep ARC enemies

The test adds a PvE matchmaking toggle that prevents Raiders from damaging one another, leaving ARC machines as the main combat threat. Solo players, duos and trios will enter the same PvE sessions, while players can still choose the standard PvPvE matchmaking experience. Reports from GosuGamers and Beebom also state that PvE matches will have lower overall loot value and will not affect PvPvE matchmaking ratings.

Night Raids and Frigate will not be available during the trial

Eurogamer reports that Night Raids and the upcoming Frigate are excluded from the October test because some of the game’s higher-pressure content depends on encounters between players. Beebom additionally lists Hidden Bunker and Locked Gate among the excluded conditions, so coverage differs on the complete list of unavailable content. Embark has warned that the trial may not work and is not a guarantee of a permanent PvE mode.

Survey data shows demand for less hostile play

Embark’s player data divides the community into 37% who prefer friendly co-op, 34% who prefer pure PvP and 27% who move between both styles. More than 70% of friendly players and 40% of PvP players reportedly want fewer hostile encounters, while 51% of surveyed players expressed interest in a dedicated PvE option. Those figures explain why the studio is testing a separate queue instead of immediately changing the main extraction experience.

ARC Raiders began as a PvE co-op game seven years ago

Embark says ARC Raiders was originally conceived about seven years ago as a raid-based PvE co-op looting game. The studio later reset the project after encountering significant design challenges and rebuilt it as the PvPvE extraction game available today. That history makes the October test a return to an earlier direction, but Grøndal’s comments leave the final decision open.

PvE would give players a clearer choice

The test could make ARC Raiders easier to choose for players who want its scavenging and ARC combat without Raider attacks, while preserving PvPvE for players who value that tension. Since Embark has not promised permanence, the October 13-20 window is also the clearest chance for both groups to show which version can support their preferred way to play.