Arc Raiders breaks player records on Steam after its launch.

Arc Raiders, the PvPvE extraction shooter from Embark Studios, debuted on October 30, 2025 for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S at a price of $39.99.

On its first day, it surpassed 260,000 concurrent players on Steam, and in less than two weeks reached a historical peak of 462,488 players, temporarily surpassing Helldivers 2 and Battlefield 6. Across all platforms, the game gathered more than 700,000 players that same weekend.

Evolution of Peak Players on Steam

Key daily peaks:

• October 30–31, 2025
  264,673 players
  Surpasses the beta numbers (189,668) and The Finals (242,619). Enters Steam’s top 4.

• November 2, 2025
  337,834–354,836 players
  Servers struggle due to demand, and the game becomes the #1 global seller on Steam.

• November 8–9, 2025
  416,517–462,488 players
  New all-time record. Surpasses Helldivers 2. Remains among the most played titles.

• November 13, 2025
  386,160 peak (24h) / ~383,117 current
  Maintains stability above 300,000 daily players.

As of November 13, Arc Raiders records approximately 383,000 active players on Steam and 89% “Very Positive” reviews (83,239 positive out of 93,387 total), maintaining more than 100,000 daily concurrent players since launch.

Sales and Commercial Performance

• Over 4 million copies sold in less than two weeks.
  Nexon describes it as the most successful global launch in its history for a new IP.

• Weekly estimates:
  2.5 million copies, equivalent to about $100 million USD in gross revenue.
  Platform distribution:
  69% Steam, 17% PS5, 13% Xbox.

• Remains #1 in global Steam sales since launch, surpassing titles like Dispatch and Battlefield 6.

What Arc Raiders Offers

The game features PvPvE combat in a post-apocalyptic Earth, where players (Raiders) leave the city of Speranza to gather resources while facing both ARC machines and other squads. It includes:

• Solo, duo, or trio matchmaking.
• Dynamic maps (4 available at launch, including Rust Belt).
• Crafting, upgrades, and progression.
• Varied ARC enemies and unpredictable encounters.

One highly discussed element is player interaction: roughly 50% of players extracted with strangers during launch, generating comments about a more cooperative environment compared to other extraction shooters.

Critics currently place it between 88% and 90% positive, highlighting its tension, accessibility, and pacing. The 2025 roadmap includes:

• Map 5: Stella Montis
• New ARCs: Matriarch and Shredder
• Missions, events, and snow weather
• Raider Decks system
• 10-year support plan

Community Debates and Reactions

The most discussed point is the use of AI for voices and textures, information disclosed directly on the Steam page. Nexon responded stating that “everyone is assumed to use AI,” which sparked debate, though it has not affected commercial performance or general interest.

On social media, creators and media boosted the game’s visibility. Viral posts from IGN, PC Gamer, Infobae, and comments from streamers like Shroud helped push attention even further. As the player base grows, complaints about campers and increasing PvP tension also appear, especially after the second week.

A Launch That Shifts the Extraction Shooter Landscape

With consistent records, solid sales, and a broad roadmap, Arc Raiders positions itself as one of the strongest releases of the year. Its early performance suggests sustained growth within the genre, similar to the trajectory seen with Helldivers 2.