Arc Raiders to test PvE-only matchmaking in October

Arc Raiders is getting a week with no player killers.

Embark Studios will run a PvE Matchmaking Toggle Beta test from 13 to 20 October 2026. Players can opt into matches with no player-versus-player combat, meaning fights against computer-controlled enemies rather than other people Eurogamer.

The plan was set out by executive producer Aleksander Grøndal in a blog post on the official Arc Raiders website. The post is titled "We're testing a PvE Toggle: here's what it means for you". It was published on 24 September 2026.

It is a choice, not a replacement. Participants can queue for the new PvE version or stay with the regular PvP version, where players can still fight each other. Solo players, duos and trios can all use the PvE queue.

The two versions will not play exactly the same. Night raids and hidden bunkers, two map conditions, will be absent from PvE matchmaking because they were designed with PvP in mind. Loot value will also be lower in PvE to reflect the reduced danger.

The studio pointed to how people already play. Around 37 percent of players are friendly co-op players, a share that has grown since launch. Around 34 percent are focused on PvP, a share that has stayed consistent, with the remaining 27 percent a mix of the two Eurogamer.

Embark said the test does not guarantee a permanent PvE mode. It described the test as a sign it is seriously considering one. During the week, the team will monitor the wider player economy and matchmaking times, the system that places players into the same online match.

For fans, this means a low-risk chance to try the quieter version. The Frozen Trail update is scheduled to release on 8 October, just ahead of the test GameSpot.