Arc Raiders PvE Co-op Test Starts October 13

Ever wished you could explore Arc Raiders without constantly watching your back for other players? Well, your wish might be granted—at least for a week. Embark Studios just announced a limited test of a PvE-only co-op mode, and it kicks off next month.

From October 13 through October 20, you'll be able to toggle between the usual PvPvE matchmaking and a new PvE-only option. In PvE mode, solos, duos, and trios all share the same matchmaking pool, and there's absolutely zero player-to-player damage. That means no more getting third-partied while you're looting. To balance things out, you'll find slightly less loot in PvE, since the risk is lower.

But don't get too comfortable—this is just a test. "This is, at least initially, a limited test," the devs say. "When the test ends, the toggle will be removed and matchmaking will return to normal. Your feedback and data will help to shape the future of this system." So if you want a permanent PvE mode, you better play the heck out of it and let Embark know.

It's a big moment for the game, which was originally envisioned as a PvE-only experience before shifting to the extraction shooter we know today. The devs have been inching toward more PvE-friendly features for a while—like tweaking matchmaking to separate the most aggressive players, and even testing a full PvE mode in the Chinese version. Now they're bringing that experimentation to everyone.

Why now? The numbers tell a story. According to Embark, 37% of players are focused on friendly co-op, and that group has grown consistently since launch. Another 34% are pure PvP, while 27% enjoy a mix of both. (The remaining 2%? Probably just a rounding error.) Altogether, just over half of the player base has expressed interest in a dedicated PvE option.

Still, the devs are cautious. "It's important to mention that this is not a risk-free test," they warn. "The first, unlaunched iteration of ARC Raiders was conceived as a PvE game, and we have been hesitant to return to that concept. There is a risk that introducing a PvE matchmaking toggle could reduce some of the tension that the game was built around. At the same time, we have to respect that some players want to enjoy the game in their own way, and we can't ignore what the data is telling us."

They're right to be wary. Without the threat of other players, some of the game's core tension might evaporate—our own resident Arc Raiders fan argues that PvP is the reason the game works. There's also the economy to consider: easier extractions mean more loot flooding the market. And splitting the playerbase could lead to longer queue times.

"It's possible that this will not work," the devs admit. "This test is not a promise that there will be a PvE mode in the future, but take this as an indication that we are seriously considering it." So if you've been craving a more relaxed Arc Raiders experience, now's your chance to show Embark it's worth keeping. Will you be toggling into PvE next month? Let us know in the comments!