A common element in many extraction shooters is the recurring `wipe,` which completely resets all players` in-game progress. Embark Studios, the creator of Arc Raiders, recognizes the contentious nature of this system and is introducing a player-friendly solution: making these progression resets an optional feature through their Expedition Projects. This initiative aims to provide a fairer and more equitable experience for the community.
Players will gain access to an Expedition Project once they achieve level 20. Each Expedition cycle is designed to run for approximately eight weeks, during which participants contribute towards collective game progress. At the conclusion of an Expedition, players are presented with a choice: they can opt to reset their progress, which involves forfeiting all accumulated levels, skills, and their inventory. Importantly, cosmetic items and achievements earned will be preserved regardless of this decision. Conversely, players who do not complete an Expedition have the option to carry their existing progress forward into the subsequent cycle without penalty.
This innovative approach is specifically crafted to foster a more balanced and accommodating environment for the entire player base. Individuals with limited time to dedicate to Arc Raiders will no longer face the frustration of losing all their hard-earned progress. Meanwhile, highly engaged and dedicated players will be duly rewarded for their commitment with exclusive cosmetic items, permanent account unlocks, and temporary buffs that will be active for the duration of the next Expedition cycle.
Virgil, the design director, explicitly stated that any benefits acquired by players who choose to perform a reset will not grant them a power or combat advantage over others. He emphasized that the rewards are primarily for “bragging rights,” proudly showcased through the unique cosmetic items players earn. Virgil further elaborated, “While this isn`t a magical solution and won`t provide the absolute clean slate that a mandatory global reset offers, it is designed to be more fair to all participants. Our utmost priority is to value the time players invest in our game as much as they value it themselves.”
Arc Raiders is scheduled for release on October 30th, and will be available across PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S platforms. Prior to its official launch, Embark Studios will host a Server Slam Open Test from October 17th to 19th, accessible on both PC and console. Although any progress made during this test period will not transfer to the full game, active participation will reward players with an exclusive backpack cosmetic item for use in the final version of the game.