Embark Studios’ upcoming cooperative shooter ARC Raiders will not appear at Gamescom 2025 and will not hold a second open beta, the developer said, disappointing fans ahead of the game’s planned October 30 release.
The decision, announced on X, surprised many in the game’s community who had expected fresh gameplay footage or a release date confirmation at Europe’s largest video game trade show next week. “We know many of you were hoping to see more at Gamescom and take part in another beta, but our focus is now fully on launch,” the studio said.
The team here in Stockholm is in full gear, getting ready for release on October 30! Our focus is now on polishing and expanding the experience, and putting all the learnings from TT2 into action ahead of release. Just so you know, we're not planning additional public tests… pic.twitter.com/P9MLuNBWk4
— ARC Raiders (@ARCRaidersGame) August 11, 2025
ARC Raiders, which blends cooperative play with extraction mechanics, drew early praise for its immersive gameplay and distinctive features during its first beta. The absence from Gamescom and lack of further hands-on opportunities left some players concerned about the game’s readiness, though Embark Studios framed the move as a matter of priorities.
“Bad news never comes alone,” the studio wrote in its post, acknowledging the disappointment over the lack of a second beta. Developers added that further updates could arrive outside the traditional conference schedule in the weeks leading up to launch.
The October release will test whether the decision to forgo additional public demonstrations impacts sales. Early reception to the beta suggested strong interest, and analysts expect Embark to intensify its marketing push in the final months before launch.
Source: Infinity Area