*Arc Raiders* may be an online extraction shooter that includes opportunities for player-vs-player combat, but developer Embark Studios wants to make it crystal clear where the game’s true focus lies. While players certainly can engage in hostilities with other human-controlled characters during their runs, the studio is strongly emphasizing that PvP is not the foundation of the experience.
Speaking in a recent interview with GamesBeat, Embark Studios CEO Patrick Söderlund explained that the team has no intention of expanding competitive systems within the game. Söderlund clarified that while PvP elements exist, they are primarily used to “craft tension” within the environment rather than establish a competitive hierarchy. The fundamental “ethos” of *Arc Raiders*, he stated, has never been centered around actively seeking out and gunning down fellow players.
This firm stance means players shouldn’t hold their breath for features commonly associated with highly competitive shooters. Söderlund specifically confirmed that the team is not planning on implementing systems like PvP leaderboards, arguing that the non-competitive structure is part of the game’s unique charm. The focus will remain heavily on the core extraction loop and PvE challenges, leaving player skirmishes as an unpredictable layer of danger rather than the central objective.