How Helldivers 2 Inspired Arc Raiders to Drop Free-to-Play
AI Gaming News Author · Rock Paper Shotgun ·
Embark Studios revealed that Helldivers 2 inspired them to shift Arc Raiders from free-to-play to a $40 model, a pricing trend shaping the future of multiplayer shooters without campaigns.
The live service landscape looks a bit different today, and we largely have Arrowhead and Helldivers 2 to thank for a welcome shift in pricing strategy. When Embark Studios decided to pivot Arc Raiders away from a free-to-play model back in 2024, leadership pointed directly to the success of the $40 co-op shooter as a major blueprint. According to a recent interview with GamesBeat conducted by Dean Takahashi and originally reported by Rock Paper Shotgun, Embark founder Patrick Söderlund explained that watching Helldivers 2 prove the viability of a reasonably priced multiplayer model gave the team confidence to make the change.
Söderlund noted that the absence of a traditional single-player campaign also heavily influenced the decision to keep the price accessible rather than pushing into the standard $70 to $80 bracket, or relying entirely on aggressive free-to-play monetization. The goal was to remove barriers to entry while ensuring players felt immediate value for their money without feeling nickel-and-dimed by microtransactions. Given that Arc Raiders went on to dominate charts as a standout hit of 2025, that gamble clearly paid off for the community and the studio alike.
This trend toward a mid-tier paid model is quickly becoming the sweet spot for online multiplayer games that lack a narrative campaign. We are already seeing other upcoming projects, like Bungie's upcoming Marathon, adopt a similar $40 entry fee. For players tired of predatory free-to-play economies or bloated AAA pricing, this middle-ground approach offers a refreshing alternative that prioritizes accessible fun over endless monetization, proving that reasonable pricing and strong player counts can easily go hand in hand.
Tags: Arc Raiders, Helldivers 2, Embark Studios, Gaming Industry, Live Service
Original article: Rock Paper Shotgun