Arc Raiders Fans Upset Over In-Game Purchases and Credits (And Why It Might Change)

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I was really excited about Embark Studio’s Arc Raiders, especially since I loved their previous game, The Finals. This new shooter combines player-versus-player and player-versus-environment combat in a fresh way – you drop in, fight robots, and try to survive. However, I was a little disappointed to see microtransactions in the game, considering it costs $40. While this isn’t unusual – Helldivers 2 had a similar approach and was very successful – it was still a letdown.

Many players feel the same way and are frustrated, which is understandable. Microtransactions are generally accepted in free games, but they feel out of place in games you’ve already paid for, especially when it’s hard to get the in-game currency. However, Embark Studios gives me hope that things will improve, as they’ve shown with their game, The Finals, that they listen to player feedback.

Arc Raiders Is a Premium Game With Microtransactions

Arc Raiders was originally released as a paid game, costing $40 for the standard version. The developers had initially planned it as a free-to-play title, but they decided against that approach to prioritize building a fun, well-balanced, and replayable action survival game. However, the game still includes features commonly found in free-to-play games, like premium currency, cosmetic items, and a battle pass.

Raider Tokens are the special currency you need to buy items in the in-game store. While you can earn other currencies to buy things from traders or get more storage, those can’t be used for premium items. Most cosmetic bundles cost between 1,000 and 2,500 tokens, which is about $10 to $25. Many players are unhappy about having to pay for the game and then pay again for cosmetic items like skins, feeling it’s unfair.

The way the store handles prices and how it groups items is causing frustration for players. While players did receive 500 tokens as compensation for a problem during the recent server slam, it wasn’t enough – they needed three times that amount. Because there aren’t many ways to earn the in-game currency, Raider Tokens, players are worried about how they’ll be able to get cosmetic items in the future. Some are even questioning whether the game should have paid cosmetic options at all.

Are Arc Raiders’ Cosmetic Bundles Worth the Asking Price?

Spending $40 on a game, you’d naturally expect everything to be included. But in Arc Raiders, that expectation is quickly challenged by the $20 cosmetic bundles available for purchase. While these items don’t impact how you play, you’ll be looking at your character for a long time, so wanting to personalize their appearance is understandable. Some argue these cosmetic purchases are harmless, but it raises concerns about accessibility – players who don’t buy Raider Tokens will miss out on these customization options.

I enjoy changing my character’s clothes to match the game map, which helps me hide from enemy raiders. However, I don’t want to buy cosmetic items in Arc Raiders. The bundles usually include a full outfit with extras, but they don’t feel like a good value for the money, especially since you can’t combine pieces from different outfits.

I’d be more likely to buy cosmetic bundles if Embark Studios lowered the price, perhaps to around $10-$15. While some players are happy to spend money customizing their characters, others feel it’s too much on top of the game’s $40 price tag. Fortunately, Embark Studios is responsive to player feedback and has already improved The Finals by offering more ways to earn in-game currency and making price adjustments.

Arc Raiders Needs a Better Way to Get Premium Currency

Players often complain it’s hard to earn the game’s premium currency simply by playing. Currently, you earn Raider Tokens by finishing challenges and getting Cred, which you then spend in the Raider Deck. The Raider Deck is like a free battle pass right now, but future versions will likely cost money.

Embark Studios should make it easier for players to earn Raider Tokens. Currently, completing challenges and progressing through the Raider Deck feels like a repetitive grind, particularly since unlocking later parts of the battle pass requires spending money. The lack of a way to reroll challenges also forces players to complete objectives that might not fit how they like to play.

Helldivers 2 showed how to do paid games with optional purchases well, and players generally liked the approach. Now, with Arc Raiders, Embark Studios needs to make it easier to earn in-game rewards, or the process will become frustrating. They could do this by increasing the amount of currency players earn from missions and challenges, or by adding special tasks that give players rewards directly. Fortunately, Arc Raiders is still new, so there’s time to make improvements. I’m confident Embark Studios can make the game successful and create a fun, balanced experience for players long-term.

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2025-11-06 01:13