ARC Raiders, the extraction shooter from Embark Studios, has quickly turn into a phenomenon in the gaming industry. Since its launch in October 2025, the game has attracted millions of players, even surpassing the popularity of established franchises like Battlefield and Call of Duty.
The game’s success is largely attributed to Embark Studios’ consistent post-launch support through weekly updates. However, developers are now addressing a new challenge: players exploiting strategic areas by “camping.” This tactic, where players remain stationary in advantageous positions, is impacting the overall gameplay experience.
Players Utilizing Camping Strategies in Key Areas
Virgil Watkins, Director of Design for ARC Raiders, recently discussed community concerns regarding camping behavior, particularly around the Locked Gate and Hidden Bunker events. These locations have gained a reputation as hotspots for campers due to their favorable designs. Watkins confirmed the development team is exploring revisions to these maps to minimize the effectiveness of passive strategies and encourage more dynamic player movement.
While the planned adjustments will be targeted rather than a complete overhaul, the goal is clear: to promote more active engagement from players. Embark Studios has already attempted to deter camping by increasing the strength of enemies near the Hidden Bunker entrance, but experienced players have consistently overcome these obstacles. This suggests that AI-based challenges alone are not sufficient to dislodge entrenched campers.
Addressing this issue is a key priority for Embark Studios in 2026, alongside plans to add new locations and more challenging ARC boss encounters. The extraction shooter genre is gaining traction, and maintaining a balanced gameplay experience is crucial for long-term success.
Exploitation of Game Systems
Beyond camping, the development team continues to monitor unexpected player behavior. Watkins noted that they were surprised to notice players on an entire server cooperating to defeat a major boss, a pattern not initially anticipated.
Embark Studios is also taking a firm stance against cheating and system exploitation, routinely banning players who violate the rules. The studio maintains open communication with the community, addressing concerns such as those surrounding the matchmaking system.
ARC Raiders will continue to evolve with significant content updates. A new update, Shrouded Sky, is scheduled for release on February 24, introducing Hurricane weather conditions that will dramatically alter player mobility and visibility in the game.
Source: Players
