The ARC Raiders PvE mode entered open testing on Tuesday, October 13, bringing a separate matchmaking option that prevents players from damaging one another. Embark Studios made the feature available across all platforms. The goal is to let raiders take on ARC machines without having to worry about attacks from other players.
The limited-time PvE test runs until October 20 at 5 a.m. ET (6 a.m. Brasília time). Players can switch between the new co-op option and regular PvPvE matches, which mix fights against machines with encounters against other raiders.
The ARC Raiders PvE mode doesn’t remove the danger of an extraction run, but it changes where that danger comes from. ARC machines remain a threat, while encounters with other players no longer carry the risk of direct damage.
The test arrives five days after the Frozen Trail update launched on October 8. The update also coincided with a free access period from October 8 through October 12. Player activity on Steam rose significantly during that stretch, although the increase cannot be attributed to the update alone.
How to play the PvE mode in ARC Raiders
To try it, select the PvE option in the matchmaking menu before queuing for a match. The standard queue remains available, so players can return to PvPvE whenever they want.
The matchmaking system does not separate lobbies strictly by party size. Solo players, duos, and trios can share the same matches, making encounters between groups of different sizes more common.
What changes during the PvE playtest?
The biggest difference is that players can’t damage each other. This changes the pace of exploration but doesn’t remove the challenge posed by ARC machines. The test includes the following rules:
- No player-to-player damage: Attacks and throwable equipment, including stun and incendiary grenades, do not affect other raiders.
- Tools still work: Barricades and ziplines function as usual.
- Adjusted loot: Overall loot value is lower in PvE. In PvPvE, baseline loot value receives a small increase to account for the added risk.
- Unavailable match conditions: Night Raid, Hidden Bunker, Locked Gate, Frigate, and Redirection are not available in the co-op queue.
PvE sessions still let players explore, collect resources, and complete missions. However, Embark specifically confirmed that PvE matches do not affect the matchmaking rating used in PvPvE. That should not be read as confirmation that every progression system works identically across both formats.
Why is Embark testing a co-op mode?
The decision reflects how part of the community prefers to play. According to Embark, 37% of the player population analyzed falls into a co-op-oriented group that avoids fights with other players whenever possible. The studio says this group has grown since launch.
Within that group, more than 70% want fewer hostile encounters. Around 40% of PvP-oriented players share that preference. In a survey cited by the developer, 51% of respondents said they were interested in a dedicated PvE option.
The discussion also connects to the game’s origins. Before ARC Raiders became a PvPvE extraction shooter, it was designed as a cooperative looter focused on fighting robots. Embark changed direction during development after running into challenges with its original concept.
An earlier experiment took place on Chinese test servers in June 2026. That regional setup encouraged cooperation but still allowed players to attack one another, with penalties for hostile behavior. The current playtest is different because it disables damage between raiders.
Will ARC Raiders PvE become permanent?
For now, Embark has not committed to keeping the mode. The studio plans to examine how separate queues affect the in-game economy and player encounters. It will also assess how the change influences the tension that defines extraction matches.
When the test ends on October 20 at 5 a.m. ET (6 a.m. Brasília time), the PvE selector will be removed and matchmaking will return to its usual setup. Data collected during the test and community feedback will guide what happens next.
Even if the option returns, a permanent version could be quite different from the current playtest. For players interested in the ARC Raiders PvE mode, the window through October 20 is a chance to experience the changes firsthand. Their feedback could help Embark decide whether a dedicated co-op alternative belongs in the game.
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