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1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsYes, if “fair” means a chance of meeting Raiders with a similar playstyle; no, if it means protection from hostile PvP. Embark says ARC Raiders matchmaking makes similar playstyles more likely to meet and prioritizes equal squad sizes where possible, but it does not guarantee either outcome or offer PvE-only lobbies in standard matchmaking. A limited PvE matchmaking test is scheduled for October 13–20, 2026; it is not a confirmed permanent mode.
What kind of fairness are you looking for?
“Fair” can mean several different things in an extraction shooter. ARC Raiders is a plausible fit if you want squad sizes to be matched where possible or want the system to take your approach to other players into account. It is not a fit if your requirement is that other players cannot attack you in standard play.
- Comparable squad sizes: Embark says it prioritizes matching equal squad sizes where possible, not that every encounter will be an equal-sized fight.
- Fewer aggressive encounters: Matchmaking considers playstyle, including how Raiders interact with one another, but similar playstyles are more likely to meet, not guaranteed.
- No player-versus-player damage: Standard Topside matchmaking does not provide PvE-only lobbies or servers.
How ARC Raiders matchmaking handles playstyle
In its May 20, 2026 explanation, Embark said matchmaking weighs multiple factors, with past-round playstyle—especially interactions with other Raiders—among the strongest. The developer describes fairness partly as matching players with similar chances of success, and says playstyle matching is intended to improve enjoyment and reduce friction. Its concise qualification is: “Similarity is more likely, not guaranteed.” (Embark, “Notes on The Matchmaking System,” May 20, 2026.)
Embark describes playstyle as a continuum rather than a simple friendly-or-aggressive switch. It says a single action does not immediately define a player’s profile; patterns over time matter. In the same post, it says defending yourself is no longer treated the same as starting a fight, and low-activity rounds carry less weight. These are the developer’s descriptions of how its system is designed, not independent evidence that any particular player will get a fair match.
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The limitation is explicit: “There are no ‘PvE-only’ lobbies/servers where other Raiders will never attack you.” If you queue for the regular PvPvE experience, uncertainty about other players is part of the loop.
What the October 2026 PvE test changes
Embark scheduled a limited PvE matchmaking test for October 13–20, 2026. During the test, players can toggle between standard PvPvE matchmaking and the test mode. Embark says the PvE test disables player-to-player damage, combines solo, duo, and trio players in the same sessions, lowers loot value, excludes certain high-tension conditions, and does not affect PvPvE matchmaking rating. The announcement says the toggle will be removed at the end of the test and matchmaking will return to normal. (Embark’s PvE matchmaking test announcement.)
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This is a temporary alternative for players who want to try a session without player-versus-player damage, with trade-offs in group matching and loot. It should not be treated as a permanent PvE option or as a change to the normal matchmaking promise.
What you get from ARC Raiders
ARC Raiders is a multiplayer extraction adventure set on a dangerous future Earth. Players scavenge and try to extract while facing both machines and other Raiders. The official game site lists cross-platform social play across PlayStation, Xbox, and PC; Steam describes solo play or parties of up to three, workshop crafting, quests, changing map conditions, machine threats, and PvP encounters. (Official ARC Raiders site; ARC Raiders on Steam.)
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That combination makes it a reasonable choice if you want an extraction adventure with scavenging, progression, and the possibility of cooperation, while accepting that another Raider may choose to fight. If you mainly want predictable, objective-centered encounters, the alternatives below may be a better match for your preferred style—but neither official description establishes fairer matchmaking or a permanent PvE-only option.
ARC Raiders compared with Hunt: Showdown 1896 and Marathon
These games are useful comparisons for different kinds of extraction-shooter appeal, not evidence that one has objectively fairer matchmaking. The official descriptions establish their broad objectives and risks, but do not support a full balance or fairness ranking.
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| Game | Officially described loop | Why it may suit you | Fairness or PvE guarantee established? |
|---|---|---|---|
| ARC Raiders | Scavenge, face machine threats and other Raiders, and extract; solo or parties up to three are described on Steam. | You want a co-op-leaning extraction adventure with uncertain PvP encounters and a matchmaking system that considers playstyle. | Embark says similar playstyles are more likely to meet and equal squad sizes are prioritized where possible. No PvE-only lobbies in standard matchmaking. |
| Hunt: Showdown 1896 | Track bosses, kill them for a bounty, then contend with rival hunters on the way to extraction, according to Crytek. | You want tense, objective-centered PvPvE encounters built around a bounty and a contested escape. | Not established by the official description. |
| Marathon | PlayStation describes an online-focused extraction shooter centered on exploration, multiplayer combat, rival crews, risky loadouts, and choosing whether to extract or push further. | You want an online extraction loop that emphasizes crew-versus-crew risk and decisions about how long to stay. | Not established by the official description. |
For ARC Raiders, Steam listed a release date of October 30, 2025. On October 3, 2026, its page showed 81% positive from 199,942 English-language reviews overall, and 53% positive from 2,522 reviews in the preceding 30 days. Those are dated platform-review snapshots, not measures of matchmaking fairness. (Steam listing, accessed October 3, 2026.)
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What Embark’s player figures do—and don’t—tell you
In its September 24, 2026 announcement, Embark reported that 37% of players were friendly co-op players, 27% were mixed, and 34% were pure PvP players. It also said more than 70% of friendly players and 40% of PvP players wanted fewer hostile encounters, and that 51% of surveyed players had expressed interest in a dedicated PvE option. The announcement material does not provide a survey sample size or methodology, so treat these as figures Embark reported—not independently audited, market-wide statistics. They show that interest in fewer hostile encounters is not confined to one playstyle, but they do not predict how a particular match will unfold. (Embark’s September 24, 2026 announcement.)
Quick Recap
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