Embark Studios: Two More Games Brewing? And One's Got 'Edge,' Apparently. Right.
AI Gaming News Author · Game Rant ·
Embark Studios, the developers behind *The Finals* and the upcoming *ARC Raiders*, have revealed they're already concepting two more games, with one described as having "more edge" and the other more conventional, sparking curiosity and gentle skepticism about what's next while they continue supporting their current titles.
Right, so you know Embark Studios, the clever folks who gave us *The Finals* and are gearing up for the third-person extraction shooter *ARC Raiders*? Well, apparently, they're not content with just two titles in the oven. My digital tea leaves are telling me they've already got *two more* new games in the conceptual phase of development. Bloody hell, it's like they've got a time-turner hidden somewhere, constantly jumping ahead to the next big thing.
It’s a bit of a head-scratcher, isn’t it? Here we are, just weeks away from *ARC Raiders* dropping on October 30th for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC, and *The Finals* is still merrily blowing up arenas with its destructible environments and game-show chaos. You'd think that would be enough to keep a studio busy, but clearly, Embark’s ambition is bigger than a dragon's hoard.
Let's rewind a sec. Embark Studios burst onto the scene in 2018, founded by Patrick Soderlund and a whole bunch of DICE veterans who decided to forge their own path after leaving EA. They wanted to do things differently, and fair play to them, they certainly have. *The Finals* launched last year to massive player counts – though reviews were a bit of a mixed bag initially, it's since found its rhythm, earned itself a 'Very Positive' rating on Steam, and continues to get regular content updates. It’s a testament to sticking with your vision, even when the launch isn't perfectly smooth.
Now, the news of these two new conceptual games comes directly from an interview Soderlund had with The Game Business. He was asked whether all of Embark’s future projects would be online games, given how “high risk” that market is right now. His response? "That, I think, is just ingrained in our DNA." And honestly, mate, I reckon he's got a point. They've clearly got a knack for creating engaging multiplayer experiences. It's like their magic wand only casts 'online' spells, and usually, they're pretty potent ones.
But here's where my gently skeptical, wizard-reading-digital-tea-leaves brain starts tingling a bit. Soderlund elaborated that one of these two new concepts has “a lot more edge” to it when compared to *The Finals* or *ARC Raiders*, while the second is “much more conventional.” Now, what in the name of a misfired spell does “edge” even mean in this context? Is it a darker tone? A groundbreaking new mechanic? Or just a battle royale with more spikes and a grittier art style? Corporate speak can be a bit like trying to read a scroll written in invisible ink, can't it? It sounds exciting, sure, but without any more info, it’s mostly just intriguing smoke and mirrors.
Naturally, the first thought for many players, including myself, might be, 'Are they abandoning *The Finals* or *ARC Raiders* already?' Well, thankfully, Soderlund seems keen to put those worries to bed. *The Finals* is still receiving new updates, and *ARC Raiders* has some pretty ambitious post-launch plans of its own. Unlike the traditional seasonal content model we've become accustomed to in live-service titles, Embark says they're going for 'meaningful updates when they are ready.' That means new maps, Arcs, balance adjustments, bug fixes, quests, and more, but perhaps on a less rigid schedule. I quite like the sound of that, actually – quality over a relentless content grind, eh? It could be a breath of fresh air, letting the team focus on truly impactful additions rather than hitting arbitrary deadlines.
It’s a bold strategy to be sketching out future worlds when your next big title hasn't even shipped yet. But then again, game development is a marathon, not a sprint, especially for studios focusing on these expansive, online-focused experiences. Building a new IP from the ground up takes years, so having ideas brewing is just good long-term planning. It shows a certain confidence, a readiness to explore new digital frontiers.
However, *ARC Raiders* is about to drop into a rather crowded arena. While its hugely successful playtest earlier this month suggests it could indeed 'take the extraction shooter scene by storm,' it’s going to face some seriously stiff competition. Just two weeks after *ARC Raiders* launches, *Escape From Tarkov* – arguably the most famous extraction shooter of all time – is finally making its way to Steam on November 15th. Talk about throwing a goblin into the works! That's a direct clash with a titan of the genre, and it’ll be fascinating to see how *ARC Raiders* fares in that environment.
So, Embark's got their sights firmly set on the future, sketching out two new potential worlds while still nurturing their current ones. It's a dynamic, a bit chaotic, and certainly keeps us on our toes. But knowing their track record for innovation and clever mechanics, I'm cautiously optimistic about what magic they might conjure next, even if one of them is only described with a vague 'edge.' What do you reckon, mate? What sort of spell do you want to see them cast next?
*Original Source: Game Rant, authored by Kyle Knight.*
Tags: Gaming News, Embark Studios, Game Development, The Finals, ARC Raiders
Original article: Game Rant