Ditching Free-to-Play Model Simplified Arc Raiders' Design Process

According to Embark Studios, adopting a premium business model instead of free-to-play made designing Arc Raiders significantly more straightforward. The Swedish developer discussed the challenges of balancing risk and reward in the extraction shooter genre in its 'The Evolution of Arc Raiders' video series. Initially, Embark's debut title, The Finals, was released as free-to-play, but the studio decided this model wasn't suitable for Arc Raiders. This change made game development 'drastically easier'. Design director Virgil Watkins explained that free-to-play models often require designing games to be 'stickier', encouraging players to spend more time and money. However, this approach made it difficult to respect players' time, particularly in areas like crafting and sessions. By switching to a premium model, the studio could create a more balanced experience. Watkins noted that crafting no longer has timers, and the amount of items to collect is more reasonable, making effort and outcome more closely matched. Embark CEO Patrick Söderlund added that the team had to adapt to the market's demands and question whether the free-to-play model was the right fit for Arc Raiders. Initially announced as a free-to-play co-op shooter in 2021, Arc Raiders transitioned to a PvPvE extraction shooter and eventually shifted to a premium business model in June 2024. The game launched in October 2025 and became the most successful global launch in Embark's parent company Nexon's history.