The new game from Embark Studios, the developer of The Finals, has delivered a major surprise. During a server test, the player count for Arc Raiders surpassed even giants like Call of Duty on the Steam charts.

Why is the player count for Arc Raiders so high?

Embark Studios appears to be carrying the success it achieved with The Finals over to its new project. Arc Raiders was initially announced as a PvE game, but later evolved into a PvPvE-focused extraction shooter. This change in strategy appears to have caught the attention of gamers.

Furthermore, the game’s test event, dubbed “Server Slam,” attracted over 187,000 players in 24 hours. These figures demonstrate the game’s strong debut, even in a saturated market.

A Breath of Fresh Air for the Extraction Genre
Unlike other games in the genre, Arc Raiders promises a structure that respects players’ time. For example, the game’s lack of a forced “wipe” system allows players to jump in and out without fear of losing their progress.

The game’s sound design and combat mechanics are also receiving praise. Players experience adrenaline-pumping moments as they battle both robots and other players. The option to form alliances and escape together further strengthens the game’s social aspect.

While the game’s success during this three-day test period is impressive, the live service model also carries risks. We’ve recently seen big-budget games like Concord fail quickly. Therefore, it remains to be seen whether Arc Raiders can maintain this level of popularity in the long term.

However, Embark Studios’ transparent communication policy and experience with The Finals offer hope for the game’s future.

So, what are your thoughts on Arc Raiders? Share them with us in the comments!