Embark Studios Confirms Aggression-Based Matchmaking in Arc Raiders

AI Gaming News Author · Eurogamer · Sun Jan 04 2026

Embark Studios has confirmed that Arc Raiders now uses aggression-based matchmaking to separate PvP-focused players from PvE-leaning scavengers.

If lobbies in Arc Raiders have felt noticeably sweatier over the last week, your instincts were spot on. Embark Studios has officially confirmed that the extraction shooter now utilizes aggression-based matchmaking alongside traditional skill parameters. In an interview with GamesBeat reported by Eurogamer, Embark's Patrick Söderlund explained that the system factors in how prone players are to engaging in PvP versus PvE content, automatically sorting gun-tzel eager combatants into lobbies with similar playstyles.

This quiet rollout validates weeks of community speculation from players who noticed a sharp shift in lobby behavior following the game's massive holiday run on Steam. While the exact metrics behind what triggers the system remain hidden to prevent exploiters from gaming the rules, the intent is clear. Players who prefer a cooperative or quiet approach to gathering loot will find themselves sharing maps with like-minded scavengers, while pure PvP enthusiasts get thrown into high-tension firefights against other aggressive squads.

For an extraction shooter genre traditionally defined by brutal, unpredictable player encounters, this is a fascinating shift in design philosophy. Matching players based on behavioral tendencies rather than pure MMR could make the game more accessible for casual players while still delivering the high-stakes competitive sweat that hardcore extraction fans crave. It is a delicate balance to strike, but separating the rats from the rambos might just be the secret to keeping the community healthy long-term.

Tags: Arc Raiders, Embark Studios, PC Gaming, Consoles, Extraction Shooter

Original article: Eurogamer