Arc Raiders was considered one of 2025’s largest success tales in gaming, and it is maintaining the momentum in 2026, with January 4 changing into the sport’s largest day ever when it comes to every day customers. The sport was initially going to be a free-to-play title, however it modified to $40 forward of launch. Why $40? Embark Studios boss Patrick Soderlund stated in an interview that the choice to change from free to premium got here after the crew noticed the success of Helldivers 2, which was additionally priced at $40.
“We mainly checked out video games like Helldivers and different video games and determined, ‘OK, that’s the place we must always sit,'” he instructed GamesBeat (via Eurogamer). “We made that call, whether or not that was proper or mistaken one can argue. I like the truth that the sport is comparatively inexpensive and that individuals can are available and check out the sport.”
The manager added that $40 was the best worth for Arc Raiders additionally as a result of it helped the sport keep away from being an “offender” for gamers. The sport has no marketing campaign and is 100% multiplayer.
“We would slightly make folks really feel prefer it’s completely price 40 bucks. I hope that individuals, given how a lot time they appear to spend within the sport, really feel like we have given them worth for cash. That is the place we need to be,” he defined.
Arc Raiders has now reportedly offered greater than 12 million copies throughout all platforms, driving greater than $350 million in income.
Arc Raiders and developer Embark are owned by South Korean sport large Nexon. The studio’s earlier sport, The Finals, was not as profitable, however it “laid the inspiration for Arc Raiders’ explosive success,” a spokesperson for Nexon instructed Korea Herald.
One other high-profile sport will undertake a $40 worth as properly, as Bungie will cost that charge for its PvPvE shooter Marathon when it launches in March.
Given the immense success of Arc Raiders, it is unsurprising to study that Hollywood has come calling, inquiring about film or TV present offers. None have materialized as of but, nonetheless.
Arc Raiders is an enormous success, however it additionally has its critics who took concern with the sport’s use of synthetic intelligence methods for its voice traces. Developer Embark just lately defended the usage of AI, with Soderlund saying, “People should take a step again and perceive what it’s and the way it may be an enormous assist to builders and be an amazing profit to gamers.”