Embark Studios is not intimidated by the release dates of major titles like Battlefield 6 and Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 as they prepare to launch their new game, Arc Raiders. Despite the pressure, the studio is confident about their upcoming release.
Impressive Playtest Performance
The recent ‘Server Slam’ playtest for Arc Raiders showcased substantial engagement on Steam, pointing to a promising release scheduled for October 30. The game reached a peak concurrent player count of 189,668, positioning it as a standout title during that weekend and marking it as the most-played extraction shooter on Steam. Nevertheless, with the full release coinciding with the arrival of two major FPS franchises, CEO Patrick Soderlund acknowledges the potential skepticism about the timing. “I know. The insanity,” Soderlund remarked, addressing the bold decision to release the game amidst such competition. “We believe that the game can launch there. This is the start of a long journey.”
Building a Lasting Impression
When asked about the challenge of retaining players post-launch, Soderlund emphasized the importance of innovation and impact. “We have to bring something so that people pay attention. And if we’ve done a good enough job, maybe they’ll stick around.” Earlier playtests, including a technical test in the spring, exceeded expectations and drew significant player interest. The game’s complexity and accessibility are seen as key factors in its appeal.
Learning from the Competition
The coinciding playtest period with Bungie’s Marathon served as an unexpected but valuable comparison opportunity for Arc Raiders. Design director Virgil Watkins reflected on the chance to observe differing strategies between the games, stating, “It was a very great A/B test for us.”
Embark Studios’ previous title, the competitive shooter The Finals, remains available for download, although it has seen a decrease in concurrent players since its high-profile launch last December.