The latest episode of South Park brought a delightful surprise for gaming enthusiasts as it showcased one of the most popular video games of the moment, Arc Raiders. This extraction shooter from Embark Studios has been making waves in the gaming community.
Arc Raiders has quickly become a sensation with its impressive sales and player engagement. It has sold 4 million copies and reached over 700,000 concurrent players, securing its place among the top games on PC and consoles. This is a remarkable feat for a new intellectual property in a market dominated by well-established games.
South Park’s Nod to Arc Raiders
The show’s creators have evidently taken a liking to Arc Raiders. In the most recent Season 28 episode titled “Turkey Trot,” viewers can catch a glimpse of Cartman’s friend Tolkien Black enjoying the game on his Xbox. The episode includes multiple scenes featuring gameplay footage displayed on a TV screen.
Reports suggest that Ashley St. Germain, the marketing chief at Embark, shared on LinkedIn how the collaboration with South Park came to be. “There’s a lot to be thankful for this year, but I don’t know how I’m going to top this week. On Monday South Park inquired if a character could play ARC Raiders in an upcoming episode, on Tuesday we provided footage, and on Wednesday we were in S28’s “Turkey Trot” episode. Like Tolkien, I guess a lot of us just can’t put down ARC Raiders. Happy Thanksgiving! 🦃🍁
The Fast-Paced World of South Park
This quick collaboration isn’t surprising for those familiar with how Trey Parker and Matt Stone produce South Park. Traditionally, the show is crafted week-by-week, allowing for timely and topical episodes. However, the team opted for a biweekly schedule during Season 27, which increased production time but also led to a more erratic release schedule. Despite this, the season enjoyed high ratings and sparked extensive discussions.
Comedy Central delayed the Season 27 finale mere hours before it was set to air, with Parker and Stone admitting fault for not completing it in time. They praised Comedy Central and their fans for their patience and understanding. This kind of last-minute production is typical, though they previously only missed a release due to a power outage.
During a San Diego Comic-Con 2025 panel, Parker revealed the stress of deciding on episode content at the last minute. Yet, this approach continues to keep South Park fresh and engaging for its audience.
The Legacy of Gaming in South Park
South Park has a long tradition of integrating video games into its storylines. Notably, it featured World of Warcraft in the iconic episode “Make Love, Not Warcraft.” Other games have also appeared, including Valve’s Counter-Strike, Rock Band, and Call of Duty. Arc Raiders is the latest addition to this distinguished list.
With only one episode left in Season 28, set to air on December 10, fans eagerly await what surprises the next installment will bring.
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Embark Studios’ Arc Raiders shines with 4 million copies sold and 700,000 concurrent players.