Embark Studios, a Swedish game development company founded in 2018 by Patrick Soderlund, has unveiled its new extraction shooter, Arc Raiders. This game is set to launch amid fierce competition from established franchises like Battlefield 6 and Call of Duty: Black Ops 7. Prior to Arc Raiders, the studio released its first title, The Finals, in 2023. Beneath its ambitious launch strategy lies a story of innovation and adaptation.
Launch Strategy for Arc Raiders
Patrick Soderlund acknowledges the risks of launching a new game against such heavy hitters. However, Arc Raiders has gained notable attention, currently ranking as the third most wishlisted game on Steam. Its last technical test attracted 190,000 players, indicating a strong interest in the title.
Innovation in Gameplay
The journey to finalize Arc Raiders was not straightforward. Initially announced in 2021 as a cooperative action game focusing on innovative artificial intelligence, the team recognized that the early versions were not engaging. Soderlund candidly noted the need to confront uncomfortable truths within the development process, leading to a pivot towards the extraction shooter genre—a category familiar yet distinct in its challenges.
- Extraction games task players with collecting items and completing objectives before escaping.
- This genre has a dedicated following but can be unforgiving.
After reviewing data from various extraction games, including Escape From Tarkov, the team aimed to create a more accessible and enjoyable experience than competitors. Soderlund emphasized the importance of balancing player engagement with challenges, aiming for a rewarding experience.
Lessons from The Finals
The Finals, also developed by Embark, launched successfully with over 20 million downloads following its announcement at The Game Awards in December 2023. Despite initial success, the player base declined rapidly after a month. The team realized they needed to enhance content, onboarding, and overall gameplay to retain interest.
In response, they actively worked on improvements guided by player data, demonstrating a commitment to ongoing development. Six months later, the game became profitable, illustrating resilience in the ever-competitive free-to-play market.
Key Differences Between Both Titles
- Arc Raiders is priced at $40, while The Finals is free-to-play with in-game purchases.
- Arc Raiders will incorporate foundational lessons, focusing on robust content delivery at launch.
Soderlund believes that the early experiences gleaned from The Finals will inform the development of Arc Raiders, particularly in gameplay pacing and player retention strategies. Embark aims to deliver a product that captivates players from the moment of entry.
The Future of Embark Studios
Looking ahead, Soderlund has set ambitious goals for faster game development through innovative processes. The studio seeks to implement AI and procedural generation techniques to streamline content creation, ensuring they remain competitive.
Despite having multiple projects in development, Embark plans to maintain its current size to focus on quality and innovation. Soderlund aspires for the studio to be viewed as a pioneer in game development, aspiring for meaningful change within the gaming industry.
