ARC Raiders, a new futuristic shooter coming in 2025 from Embark Studios, is poised to shake up the extraction shooter scene. It offers the familiar blend of player-versus-player and player-versus-environment gameplay that fans enjoy, and many believe it would be even more successful if it were released as a free-to-play title.
ARC Raiders quickly became the most popular game in the ‘Extraction Shooter’ category on Steam during its recent open beta test, called the Server Slam Test. The game’s developer, Embark Studios – also known for the game The Finals – has been diligently working to improve the game based on player feedback and ensure a successful launch.
Honestly, I think making ARC Raiders free-to-play would be a huge move. Yeah, it could be risky financially, but imagine how many more players we’d get! Let me break down why I think it’s a good idea…
Is ARC Raiders Free-to-Play?
ARC Raiders won’t be free to play. You’ll need to purchase the game to explore the world of Speranza and beyond.
Online shooting games now clearly fall into two categories: free-to-play and those you have to buy upfront. Games like Concord have intensified the discussion about which model is best. With popular titles like Warzone, Fortnite, Marvel Rivals, and Apex Legends offering the base game for free, it’s understandable to wonder if other new games should do the same.
So, I was hoping ARC Raiders would be free-to-play, but unfortunately, EA and Embark Studios have decided against that for now. It’s not totally off the table for the future, but if you want to jump in and play it, you’ll need to buy it. A little disappointing, but hopefully it’s worth the price!
ARC Raiders Price, Explained
The standard version of ARC Raiders is priced at $39.99 (or £30.99), while the Deluxe Edition costs $59.99 (or £49.99).
You don’t have to buy the upgraded version, but the Deluxe Edition does come with extra content and rewards that might interest you. The Standard Edition gives you the game itself, which is what most people want. And if you pre-order, you could also receive some bonus items.
Here’s a quick look at what you get with each version of the game, plus a reminder of the price.
| Contents | Standard Edition | Deluxe Edition |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $39.99 or £30.99 | $59.99 or £49.99 |
| Copy of base game | Yes | Yes |
| Pre-order bonuses | Yes (If pre-orderered before launch) | Yes (If pre-ordered before launch) |
| Valente Outfit | No | Yes |
| Pathfinder Backpack | No | Yes |
| Blanket Roll Backpack Attachment | No | Yes |
| Lip Scar Face Cosmetic | No | Yes |
| Cowboy Scrappy Outfit And Body Type | No | Yes |
| Finger Gun: Rapid Fire Emote | No | Yes |
| 2,400 Raider Tokens | No | Yes |
You can find more about ARC Raiders on IGN, including details on when it might release in Early Access, whether it supports crossplay and different platforms, and if it will be available on Xbox Game Pass.
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2025-10-20 16:49