Breakthrough ‘extract shooter’ ARC Raiders crushes its own Steam player records — toppling even Battlefield 6

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As a researcher tracking game launches, I was really struck by the initial response to ARC Raiders. We saw a peak of over 260,000 players on its first day, and that number quickly jumped past 350,000 just a few days later. What’s unusual is that, unlike many games, the player base didn’t seem to drop off after that initial surge – it’s been a surprisingly sustained start.

ARC Raiders didn’t just break the player count record once – it did so three days in a row, peaking at 462,488 players on November 9th. What’s really remarkable is that it maintained this success for a full week, something rarely seen in player-versus-player games, especially in the last two years.

It’s rare for games to really test friendships like this, but I’ve seen it done in a few multiplayer titles, such as PEAK, R.E.P.O., and Schedule I. Those games are really popular right now. On the single-player side, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 also manages to create that same kind of challenging experience.

I looked at a few other games, but only Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 and Palworld had releases that were delayed by more than a week. This kind of delay is very rare for player-versus-player (PvP) games.

When Battlefield 6 launched its free battle royale mode, REDSEC, it didn’t reach the same player numbers as a similar game. While Battlefield 6 has consistently maintained over 300,000 players since launch – a great achievement for DICE – ARC Raiders actually surpassed its initial player count by 100,000.

It’s surprising, but ARC Raiders currently has more players than Battlefield 6, even with Battlefield 6’s free-to-play option. Right now, ARC Raiders has over 30,000 more players!

Success is earned — ARC Raiders is cashing in

ARC Raiders is gaining popularity through positive word-of-mouth. It’s even reconnected me with several old friends I hadn’t spoken to in years, which is a testament to the game’s appeal.

I reconnected with an old friend when they messaged me, thinking I was someone else! We hadn’t spoken in years and had both gone by different names, so it was a bit confusing at first. But the game ARC Raider was so compelling, it helped me overcome my social awkwardness and get back in touch with this friend – we’ve been playing together ever since.

I’ve spent more than 45 hours in this game – over 25 hours playing with friends and another 20 on my own. We’ve experienced everything together, from the disappointment of losing as a team to finding a third player to join us when we could. Every single raid has been a blast.

It’s surprising how ARC Raiders has kept me hooked without losing its appeal. Most games have a ‘honeymoon period’ where they feel amazing at first, but eventually that feeling fades. With ARC Raiders, though, that hasn’t happened – I’m still just as engaged as I was at the beginning.

I’m still completely hooked on this game, even after playing it for almost two weeks! There’s a special quality to it – you can find more details in my review – that keeps drawing me back in.

Honestly, I can’t stop thinking about ARC Raiders, even when I’m trying to sleep! I’m constantly planning what missions to tackle next or what new gear to test out. It just runs through my head until I finally drift off. That’s how good this game is – it’s totally captivating!

It’s hard to say what the future holds for ARC Raiders, but with plans for new enemies, quests, and even a new map coming soon, it looks like the game will continue to have a healthy player base for the foreseeable future.

I’m honestly distracted while writing this, because I’d rather be playing ARC Raiders and finally get the last piece I need for my Bombadier build. It’s such a satisfying feeling when you’re close to completing something in that game!

I’ve been burned before by games I got really excited about, only to lose interest after a short while. But it’s genuinely awesome to finally play one that holds that initial excitement, just like the games I loved as a kid. Honestly, being an adult is tough – juggling responsibilities when all you really want to do is dive into a game like ARC Raiders is a real struggle!

Heck, Embark Studios moves against cheaters, doesn’t hurt things either.

Now is better than ever

If you haven’t played ARC Raiders, it’s a great time to start! Players often team up and help each other out, whether they’re battling ARC or completing missions.

Playing in a three-person match is much more intense, as almost everyone immediately attacks. It’s understandable, though – it’s simpler to take someone down when there are three players instead of just one-on-one.

Though you can play alone, ARC Raiders is fundamentally a player-versus-player game. Be prepared for conflict – you never know when someone might try to attack you from behind. It could even be me!

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2025-11-10 15:44