ARC Raiders is set for the biggest update ever with the Frozen Trail update and just as exciting - they're going to be testing a PvE mode. The game is still one of the few in the Extraction genre that actually has the anti-cheat enabled for Linux.
Frozen Trail arrives on October 8th, bringing with it a big new map where one of the massive Emperors has fallen, so you'll finally get to see one up close and personal. You'll also have to deal with some brutal icy weather too and various new types of ARC threats to destroy. One of those is the new Frigate vessel, which may be one of the most challenging threats yet.
One thing I'm excited about is the new Outpost system. A home you get to customize with different modules and furniture, giving a little bit more of a personal touch to it. They said this is just the start and it will be developed much further as time goes on.
See the first-look below:
Direct Link
As for the PvE mode test that's going to be running between October 13-20. Which actually brings the game a bit closer to their original vision, which was a co-op game. Embark have data on what players have been wanting too, and going by what they showed - a dedicated PvE mode makes a lot of sense:
If we look at the overall population of players and split them by how they most like to play, it looks like this:
- 37% Friendly co-op players (this player group has grown consistently since launch).
- 27% Mixed players.
- 34% Pure PvP players (this player group has remained stable since launch).
- Over 70% of Friendly players and even 40% of PvP players express a desire for fewer hostile encounters and 51% of the surveyed playerbase has expressed an interest in a dedicated PvE option.
- There are clear friction points, with friendly players often attempting to avoid PvP entirely, and we hear frustration from certain groups of players around ratting and camping.
Some of the major map conditions will be excluded from PvE like Night Raids, Hidden Bunker, Locked Gate and Frigate.
Depending on how it goes - it may stay, it may not.
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That's why players ask for PvE mode.
Last edited by vic-bay on 25 Sep 2026 at 7:31 am UTC
StalePopcorn 25 Sep 2026
Activision just pretended to try "classic matchmaking", while doing it in the worst possible way and then proceding to use that biased data against their own player base to justify SBMM.
Quoting: StalePopcornIf PvE stays I might pick it up. I lost interest after finding out it'd be a PvP. My life's too damned busy for another PvP grief game lolThat's what I said a year ago... Right before finally caving and deciding to try it. I've played PvE the entire time - over 400 hours now - and yes, I've been shot and ratted sometimes, but the vast majority of the time, it's been friendly, for me. Especially playing solo (trios is rarer to find friendlies, but still happens every other match, usually).
That being said, I hope PvE mode, of some sort, sticks around after the test. A lot of people don't want the risk of PvP, which I understand. I may use the PvE mode too, especially if PvP increases in the standard mode, or if I get ratted, etc. I'll probably be like, screw this! and go to PvE mode. lol
But I do feel mixed about it, as the tension adds something, in my opinion. Friendlies are nice because they choose to be, when they had the option to backstab or shoot on sight. It's a kind of magic that I feel will be missed if the friendlies are forced to be nice. We'll see.
Quoting: adolsonFriendlies are nice because they choose to be, when they had the option to backstab or shoot on sight. It's a kind of magic that I feel will be missed if the friendlies are forced to be nice. We'll see.Well, maybe you'll feel better if you think of it as, those people wouldn't have come to the PvE section if they didn't want to be friendly. So they DO have the option, it's just if they wanted to exercise it the other way, you wouldn't be seeing them, the PvP side would.
Quoting: Purple Library GuyYeah, but there's no tension which is what provides the magic, IMO.Quoting: adolsonFriendlies are nice because they choose to be, when they had the option to backstab or shoot on sight. It's a kind of magic that I feel will be missed if the friendlies are forced to be nice. We'll see.Well, maybe you'll feel better if you think of it as, those people wouldn't have come to the PvE section if they didn't want to be friendly. So they DO have the option, it's just if they wanted to exercise it the other way, you wouldn't be seeing them, the PvP side would.
I also kinda think there will be a bit of a disconnect if players are immune from explosives and fire damage instigated by raiders. I feel there will still be ways for PvPers to PvP in the PvE mode. Luring ARC to other raiders, blowing up a fireball when it's close to a raider, etc. PvPers might find it fun to try and figure out ways to mess with others in PvE mode, who knows.
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