ARC Raiders PvE Mode Test Starts October 13, and a Permanent Split Is 'Very Possible'

Three days from now, ARC Raiders players get something the community has asked for since launch: a way to play without other Raiders shooting them in the back. Embark Studios' PvE matchmaking toggle test runs October 13–20, 2026, and in a new interview executive producer Aleksander Grøndal told GamesRadar+ that a long-term split of the game into PvPvE and pure PvE experiences is "very possible."

How the PvE toggle works

According to Embark's official announcement, the test adds a simple switch in matchmaking:

• Zero player-to-player damage in PvE sessions; the only threat is the ARC.
• Solos, Duos and Trios share the same session, so you can drop in alone and still meet friendly squads.
• Switch freely between classic PvPvE and PvE between matches.
• Your PvPvE matchmaking rating is not affected by PvE sessions.
• Lower loot value in PvE to balance the safer runs, while PvPvE sessions get slightly higher baseline loot during the test.
• Downed Raiders beware: ARC units may re-target you if you crawl while downed, but they ignore you if you stay still.

What's excluded

Embark is keeping its high-tension content out of the test. Night Raids, Hidden Bunker, Locked Gate and the Frigate will not be available in PvE matchmaking, because they "rely on the uncertainty of encountering a variety of players," the studio explains. When the test ends on October 20, the toggle is removed and matchmaking returns to normal.

Why Embark is doing this

The studio shared some striking numbers. Its player base breaks down into roughly 37% friendly co-op players (a group that has grown since launch), 34% pure PvP players and 27% mixed. Over 70% of friendly players and even 40% of PvP players want fewer hostile encounters, and 51% of surveyed players said they're interested in a dedicated PvE option.

There's history here too. Embark says ARC Raiders began life seven years ago as a raid-based PvE co-op game before it was reset into the extraction shooter we know today.

"The community is already split"

Speaking to GamesRadar+, Grøndal was candid. "The community is already split along those lines," he said, adding that if the game eventually reflects that, it's "quite possibly" where things go. He also admitted it was not a unanimous call inside the studio: "It's not like everyone was high-fiving Aleks when we introduced this idea."

Still, Embark is clear that nothing is promised. "It's possible that this will not work," the official post says, calling the test "an indication that we are seriously considering it" rather than a commitment.

What's next

• Oct 12: the Frozen Trail free-to-play window ends, so new players have a few more days to try the game.
• Oct 13–20: PvE toggle test is live. Expect possible longer queues in low-population regions or off-peak hours.
• After Oct 20: Embark will review data and feedback and share its findings and plans.

Catching up on the latest patch? Read our Hotfix 2.0.2 breakdown and our Frozen Trail guide.