Arc Raiders Just Broke 185,000 Players in a FREE Playtest, and It’s Not Even Out Yet

When a developer calls their pre-launch test a “server slam,” they’re inviting chaos. They’re asking players to show up in full force and try to break the game. Well, the team at Embark Studios got exactly what they asked for. The final free playtest for their highly-anticipated extraction shooter, Arc Raiders, kicked off this weekend, and the player response has been nothing short of explosive. The servers didn’t just get slammed; they got completely mobbed.

A large crowd of people in an arena watching a competitive gaming event on a big screen.

The Servers Got Slammed, Hard

The floodgates opened, and players poured in. Within the first two hours, the game was already approaching 100,000 concurrent players [98, 106]. That number just kept climbing. At its peak, the playtest shattered expectations, soaring past 185,000 concurrent players on Steam alone [100, 101].

To put that in perspective, that single-platform number was enough to launch Arc Raiders into the number four spot on Steam’s most-played list, putting it ahead of established giants like PUBG and Rust [100]. And remember, that’s just the Steam count. The server slam was also live on the Epic Games Store, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S, meaning the true number of players online was likely much, much higher [100]. In a crowded market with heavy hitters like Battlefield 6, this is an incredibly promising sign that Arc Raiders is not going to be buried at launch [101].

A Test of Strength Before Launch

This weekend’s server slam was the final opportunity for players to try the game for free before it officially launches on October 30 for $39.99 [98]. The entire purpose was to push the servers to their absolute limit to iron out any issues before the big day. And despite the colossal wave of players, the servers held up remarkably well.

There was a small hiccup right at the start, as the studio pushed a hotfix that required a full redownload of the game to fix some crashes and errors [100]. But since that initial patch, reports indicate it’s been surprisingly smooth sailing, with many players praising the game’s excellent optimization and performance even on high settings [100, 104].

A person working in a server room with racks of glowing computer equipment, symbolizing the stress test on the game's servers.

What Does This Mean for Arc Raiders?

This massive turnout is a clear indicator of the immense hype surrounding the game. It proves that there is a huge audience eagerly waiting to jump in. By successfully navigating this trial by fire, Embark Studios has not only gathered crucial data but has also generated a powerful wave of positive buzz. It looks like Arc Raiders is one of the rare online games that might actually have a smooth, stable launch day, and it’s on track to be one of the biggest new multiplayer releases of the year.

A group of friends playing a video game together on a couch, looking excited and engaged.

FAQs

What is Arc Raiders?
It’s a new PvPvE (player-versus-player-versus-environment) third-person extraction shooter from Embark Studios, a team made up of former Battlefield developers.

What was the ‘Server Slam’?
It was a free-to-play weekend event (October 17-19) designed to be a final stress test for the game’s servers before its official launch.

How many people played the server slam?
The game peaked at over 185,000 concurrent players on Steam alone. The total number across all platforms (PlayStation, Xbox, Epic Games Store) was even higher.

Did the servers crash?
Despite the massive number of players, the servers were surprisingly stable after an initial hotfix. Many players have praised the game’s performance.

When does Arc Raiders officially release?
The game is set to launch on October 30, 2025.

How much will Arc Raiders cost?
The game will be a premium title, costing $39.99 (or regional equivalent) at launch [98].

Conclusion

The Arc Raiders server slam was an overwhelming success, not just as a technical test but as a marketing event. It proved that there is a massive, hungry audience for what Embark Studios is building. By drawing in such a colossal crowd and, for the most part, holding strong, the game has set itself up for a spectacular launch. The raid is coming, and it looks like everyone wants in.

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Scroll to Top