A full month has passed since the launch of Embark Studios’ extraction shooter ARC Raiders, and the game shows no signs of slowing down. Despite fierce competition and the historically niche nature of extraction shooters, it remains one of Steam’s most-played and most-wishlisted titles, securing a top position in the platform’s charts throughout November.
A Phenomenal Launch That Surpassed Expectations
ARC Raiders debuted on October 30, 2025, to an already eager audience, but few could have predicted just how explosive its growth would be. Within its first week, it surpassed the active player peak of Battlefield 6 and remained unaffected by the arrival of Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 shortly afterward. The title has quickly proven itself a breakout success and a standout in the genre.
ARC Raiders’ Rising and Stabilizing Player Peaks
Steam player counts don’t represent the full scale of a cross-platform game like ARC Raiders, but they provide a strong indicator of its sustained popularity. Weekly peaks paint a clear picture of ongoing engagement:
- November 2: 354,836
- November 9: 460,858
- November 16: 481,966 (all-time peak)
- November 23: 449,369
Sundays around 20:00–21:00 UTC remain the game’s strongest periods, consistently hitting weekly highs. Notably, the slight dip after its all-time peak still represents a significantly higher figure than the game’s early weeks, showing a stable and active player base.
Still a Top Seller and Outperforming Major Shooters
One month after release, ARC Raiders continues to sit within the top three best-selling products on Steam and rivals major live-service shooters in daily activity. Its average of around 367,000 daily players is firmly ahead of Battlefield 6, which hovers near 220,000 daily players.
With such momentum—and more content coming—the game’s long-term performance could climb even higher.
Why Players Keep Coming Back to ARC Raiders
ARC Raiders’ lasting appeal comes from a core experience that remains satisfying even after repeated runs. Its strengths include:
A Strong Gameplay Loop
- Physics-driven gunplay and impacts
- Distinct atmosphere
- Memorable audio design
- Solo matchmaking support
- A level of accessibility rare for the genre
These elements combine to create an extraction shooter that appeals both to genre veterans and newer players.
A Growing Live-Service Framework
The game’s ongoing content keeps players invested, including:
- Weekly quests
- Progress toward the upcoming Expedition wipe on December 21
- Live events
- Trials ranking system
- Raider Deck progression with free cosmetics and Raider Tokens
Even players who have cleared much of the current content still have new experiences on the horizon.
More Content Arriving Soon
Embark Studios isn’t slowing down. The upcoming Cold Snap update is set to bring several additions, providing even more reasons for players to log in:
- A new snow-themed map condition
- Flickering Flames limited-time event
- Additional quests
- A fresh Raider Deck
These features are only the beginning. Embark has confirmed continued content updates extending well into 2026, without adhering to a rigid seasonal formula. Updates will release as they are ready, maintaining quality and pacing without artificial deadlines.
ARC Raiders’ Future Looks Just as Strong
If ARC Raiders’ first month is any indication, its presence among Steam’s top games may be far from temporary. With a healthy player base, strong engagement, and a roadmap full of upcoming updates, the game’s dominance could continue well beyond 2025.
