Almost Every Extraction Game Has PvE Built In, So Why Doesn’t ARC Raiders?

The notion of player-versus-environment (PvE) content in the extraction world has long caused dissent amongst the genre’s die-hard fans. It’s a divisive debate that splits the community down the middle, but despite the defensive chatter from PvP mains, it seems that almost every extraction title in the business is eager to provide a PvE alternative to help retain players.

Except, of course, for ARC Raiders, the extraction adventure title from Embark Studios that hit the market last October. In recent months, the game has suffered immeasurably with player sentiments and a dwindling fanbase, but the team at Embark appears reluctant to answer the cries for PvE content, even when so many other extraction games are giving in to the trend.

Would PvE Content Save ARC Raiders?

Many argue that offering PvE map conditions, modes, or servers would ‘save’ ARC Raiders, a game that has fallen out of the good graces of players worldwide in recent months. The team at Embark Studios started losing faith in the community around the end of 2025, and the game has been working into a downward spiral ever since.

It’s not until October that the next major update for ARC Raiders will land, and nobody really knows what that looks like. It’s penned as being the most significant update yet, and many hope that it’ll introduce some PvE content, but we just have no idea.

In China, Embark Studios has been testing a totally different version of ARC Raiders, and it was discovered that this new variant came with a PvE-focused map condition. There’s no indication this will be introduced to the ‘Western’ version of the game, prompting dismay amongst those who are chomping at the bit for player-versus-environment modes.

If you meander into the average social media post from the ARC Raiders team, there’s a good chance you’ll see comments referencing PvE content everywhere. It’s one of the most asked-for things from the ARC Raiders community, but despite that, Embark seems reluctant to give in.

At the same time, almost every extraction shooter title in the business is providing for that portion of the community.

For instance, a couple of years ago, Escape from Tarkov, the tough-as-nails extraction title, received a dedicated PvE platform that runs parallel to the game’s core PvPvE offering. In May, it was revealed that Arena Breakout Infinite would be getting a permanent PvE mode, also running alongside the game’s PvPvE platform.

Marathon’s developers at Bungie started experimenting very early on with PvE content, and this summer, they’ll introduce a full PvE mode in the game, all in the hopes of boosting sorely needed player retention metrics.

Incursion: Red River is a decent, PvE-only extraction shooter. Escape from Duckov, the parody title that’s basically Tarkov but with ducks, was built on a PvE foundation. Delta Force, which by numbers is one of the most popular extraction games (partially, at least) out there, and that has a PvE mode.

Gray Zone Warfare, an extraction-adjacent tactical shooter, that has a mode called Joint Operations, which is, you guessed it, PvE.

ZERO Sievert, PvE. Dark and Darker, PvE mode. Cargo Hunters, PvE. Far Far West? PvE. The Forever Winter? PvE. Road to Vostok? PvE. Ghosts of Tabor? PvE on VR.

Sure, many extraction games don’t accommodate dedicated PvE content, but with this growing trend, it feels like they’re in the minority.

Embark Studios recently added a taste of PvE content to its other shooter, The Finals, but that was more in the form of practice lobbies that pit players against bots. Earlier this year, it was revealed by Embark that PvP mechanics were second-guessed during development and might never have made it into the game, but it turned out to be pivotal for what the team wanted to deliver, which is why they’re front and centre.

Do you think dedicated PvE modes or even a map condition would ‘save’ ARC Raiders? Let us know your thoughts on the Insider Gaming Discord server.

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