If you’ve been noticing that recent drop-ins to the extraction shooter *Arc Raiders* have resulted in a few more bloodbaths than usual, you aren’t imagining things. Embark Studios has officially confirmed that the game’s backend now uses a dynamic system designed to group players based on their individual playstyle, which the developer terms “aggression-based matchmaking.”
This confirmation arrived directly from Patrick Söderlund, the CEO of Embark Studios, during a recent interview with GamesBeat’s Dean Takahashi. Söderlund explained that the studio introduced this behavioral system roughly a week ago to better tailor the experience for its community. Instead of pairing players purely on skill or connection, the mechanism analyzes a user’s historical preference for either PvE (Player vs. Environment) activities or engaging in full-on PvP conflict.
The core intent behind this strategic shift is to improve match satisfaction for diverse playstyles. Söderlund noted that if a player’s data indicates a strong preference for PvE, they will be increasingly matched with other players who share the same avoidance of player conflict. Essentially, Embark is working to ensure that the hardcore raiders who are hunting for skirmishes are grouped together, while those focused on pure extraction and cooperation can enjoy a more peaceful experience.