Embark Studios said it will hold an open playtest for Arc Raiders in mid-October, giving players another chance to try the game before its scheduled release on Oct. 30. Pre-orders are available on Steam, the Epic Games Store, and the PlayStation Store, with Microsoft’s platform to follow.
The three-day “Server Slam Open Test” will begin Oct. 17 and end Oct. 19, allowing the developer to stress test servers ahead of launch. Access will roll out gradually, and any progress made during the playtest will not transfer to the final game.
Arc Raiders is entering a crowded extraction shooter market but earlier trials suggested it could carve out a distinct identity. May’s playtest drew favorable responses for its mechanics, gunplay, and visuals. “Most of the players who got to experience the game had positive feedback to share, not just about the graphics and gun play, but also the mechanics,” Embark said.
The title, first announced in 2021 as a free-to-play cooperative shooter, shifted to a PvPvE extraction format in 2023. Public testing began in October 2024, with players logging more than 17 million hours over six days across earlier sessions.
Pricing has been set at $40 for the Standard Edition and $60 for the Deluxe Edition, which includes digital bonuses such as the Astro Bundle, Raider Tokens, and cosmetic skins. Pre-orders also unlock an exclusive pack with in-game items.
The additional open playtest marks another opportunity for the studio to refine technical performance and player experience ahead of full release.
Source: Steam, ARC Raiders, Epic Games Store, PlayStation Store