Arc Raiders PvE Mode Test Starts October 13

Ever wished you could explore Arc Raiders' dangerous topside without constantly watching your back for other players? Well, you might just get your wish. Embark Studios has officially announced that a long-awaited PvE mode will be available to test from October 13-20. That's right—for one week, you can team up with friends and take on the game's challenges without the threat of hostile raiders.

This isn't the first time Embark has dabbled with PvE. Three months ago, the studio tested a unique PvE map condition on Chinese beta servers. But this time, you won't have to hunt for a specific map condition to get your cooperative fix. Instead, a new toggle will let you choose between standard matchmaking and the PvE mode during the test. Solos, duos, and trios will all share the same lobbies in PvE mode, since you won't pose any threat to each other. However, some major map conditions—like Night Raids, Hidden Bunker, Locked Gate, and Frigate—will remain exclusive to standard matchmaking.

Now, before you get too excited, Embark has made it clear that this test doesn't guarantee a permanent PvE mode. In a press release, the studio said, "It's possible that this will not work. 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. We don't yet know how the potential future version of this setting might look. It's plausible that any future version could look very different from what you experience in the beta test." So, temper those expectations—but hey, it's a step in the right direction.

And it's a step that a huge chunk of the player base has been begging for. According to Embark, 37% of players are cooperative-only raiders, meaning they actively avoid PvP encounters whenever possible. Of those players, 70% have expressed a desire for fewer hostile encounters with other raiders. Even more surprisingly, 40% of PvP players say the same. That's a lot of people who want a little less chaos and a little more teamwork.

All of this comes at a time when Arc Raiders' player numbers have been steadily dwindling. Part of that is likely due to Embark's decision to switch to bi-yearly updates, which has led to a content drought over the past six months. But the addition of a PvE mode just days after the upcoming Frozen Trail update could be exactly what the game needs to recapture those early glory days. The Frozen Trail update lands on October 8 and brings a smorgasbord of new quests, a fresh map to explore, extra weapon customization options, and a wide variety of quality-of-life changes.

Of course, Arc Raiders isn't the first extraction shooter to try PvE. Marathon added PvE modes back in July, which briefly boosted player counts. However, it has since continued struggling to maintain a significant player base. Will Arc Raiders' mainstream appeal help it avoid the same fate? Only time will tell, but there's no doubt that a lot is riding on these upcoming changes.

The Arc Raiders PvE test runs from October 13-20. Until then, you can dive into the Frozen Trail update on October 8. And as always, keep an eye on our comprehensive Arc Raiders guides hub for all your needs when the update lands. What do you think—will you be trying out the PvE mode? Let us know in the comments!