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What Is ARC Raiders? Gameplay, Setting, and Story Explained

ARC Raiders is a multiplayer extraction adventure where players prepare in underground Speranza, scavenge a dangerous future Earth, and uncover its story through quests and remnants.
Length2 min Posted Quest giverVGSources Team
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ARC Raiders is a multiplayer extraction adventure set on a ravaged future Earth. You prepare in the underground settlement of Speranza, venture to the surface to scavenge and take on quests, then try to extract with your haul while avoiding or fighting mechanized ARC machines and other Raiders. It is not a linear single-player campaign: the story unfolds gradually through quests and remnants of the world.

How does ARC Raiders gameplay work?

Each expedition puts valuable equipment and materials at risk. Raiders prepare in Speranza, go topside to pursue loot or objectives, and decide how much longer to stay before attempting to extract. Surviving with what you found feeds longer-term crafting and character progression.

Prepare in Speranza

Speranza is the underground community hub. In its workshop, you can craft, repair, and upgrade gear before heading out. Materials gathered on the surface—including ARC parts—can support crafting; loot can also be sold or turned into equipment.

Scavenge and survive topside

The surface is a dangerous search for useful loot. ARC machines are a persistent threat, but they are not the only one: other players may compete for resources or make unpredictable choices. You can play solo or in a party of up to three, according to the Steam listing.

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#1 Best Overall
ARC Raiders Deluxe - PC Steam [Online Game Code]
  • ARC Raiders Deluxe Edition includes the base game and the following content: The Wanderer Set, including the following cosmetic items: “Valente” Outfit" “Pathfinder” Backpack,“Blanket Roll” Backpack Attachment.
  • Plus: Character Cosmetic, Finger Gun Rapid Fire Emote, Cowboy Scrappy Body Type and Skin, 2 400 Raider Tokens.

Build progress between runs

Trader quests offer rewards and XP. Skill points can be spent across the Survival, Mobility, and Conditioning branches. That progression sits alongside the extraction loop: success is not only about what you bring back from one trip, but also about improving your options for later expeditions.

Where is ARC Raiders set?

It takes place on a lethal future Earth, but the available official description does not give a precise date. Embark Studios describes the setting as a post-post-apocalyptic world where remnants of Italy’s rich history coexist with infrastructure built for space travel. Speranza lies underground; above it, the landscape bears the scars of earlier conflict and the continuing ARC threat. The official ARC Raiders site presents this contrast as central to the world.

What is the story of ARC Raiders?

ARC is a mysterious mechanized threat, and the game’s overview leaves its origins unexplained. Rather than presenting the story as a fully spelled-out premise, ARC Raiders reveals its world through trader quests, characters’ agendas, and remnants that Raiders encounter. Those pieces gradually suggest what happened and what people in Speranza hope to protect or achieve. This is a spoiler-light outline, not a claim about a definitive explanation or ending.

When did ARC Raiders launch, and where can you play it?

ARC Raiders launched on October 30, 2025, according to its Steam store listing. Embark’s official site lists Steam, Epic Games Store, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and GeForce NOW, and describes cross-platform social play across console and PC. Check the platform listing for current availability in your region.

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Rank #3
ARK: Survival Evolved - Nintendo Switch
  • Capture and Tame Dinosaurs: Discover over 100 different dinosaurs and prehistoric creatures on the island, finding ways to tame them into useful additions for your tribe's dyno herd
  • Survive Above All: Hunger, thirst, basic safety, and protecting yourself from the weather are all part of the game
  • Harvest, Hunt and Build: Cut down trees and turn them into a basic home, which you can quickly expand into a Jurassic estate. Hunt for meat, scavenge for plants (or start your own garden!)
  • Customize Everything: An extensive crafting system invites you to mix and match materials scavenged from the island, while also modifying the colors, textures, shapes, and styles
  • Explore the Island: Solve the mystery of The ARK as you explore this massive island, discovering Explorer's Notebooks (filled with clues!) throughout

As of October 7, 2026, Embark’s official news index lists the Frozen Trail update for October 8, 2026, and the official homepage lists a free-play period from October 8 to 12, 2026. These are time-limited, date-sensitive details; check the live official pages for any changes.

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Can your PC run ARC Raiders?

Steam lists Windows 10 or later (64-bit), 12 GB RAM, DirectX 12, and a broadband internet connection as minimum requirements. Its recommended specification lists 16 GB RAM and a GeForce RTX 2070, Radeon RX 5700 XT, or Intel Arc B570. These are the store’s published PC requirements and may change; consult the live Steam listing before making a purchase decision.

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Rank #4
ARK: Survival Evolved (PS4)
  • Use cunning strategy and tactics to tame, train, ride and breed the 100+ dinosaurs and other primeval creatures roaming the dynamic, persistent ecosystems across land, sea, air, and even underground Build your character's strengths and gain items, skills, and pet creatures using in-depth role-playing systems
  • Start a tribe with hundreds of other players to survive and dominate competing tribes...and ultimately discover ARK's true purpose
  • Build a fire or shelter, then craft customizable clothing & armors to help protect against damage and extreme temperatures on your way to unlocking advanced technologies and equipment
  • Chop down trees and mine metal and other precious resources to build massive multi-leveled structures composed of complex snap-linked parts

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.

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