Arc Raiders Population Data Reveals Strong Player Demand for Dedicated PvE Mode

Embark Studios has released an official breakdown of its extraction shooter Arc Raiders’ player population, revealing a striking split between co-op and competitive players while simultaneously confirming that a major new feature is arriving next month. The studio shared the demographic figures as part of its announcement of an upcoming PvE-focused update, and the data underscores a clear appetite for more cooperative content even among the game’s most aggressive audience. According to Embark, the desire for reduced hostile encounters is widespread, with over 70% of friendly players and 40% of pure PvP players expressing interest in fewer combat-heavy situations.

The breakdown paints a nuanced picture of a live-service title that has managed to attract a diverse player base since its launch. The three primary segments—friendly co-op, mixed, and pure PvP—reflect the range of experiences players seek from the extraction genre, which traditionally leans heavily toward competitive survival and loot competition. What makes these numbers particularly telling is the studio’s framing of the data: rather than presenting it as a marketing triumph, Embark used the statistics to validate a concrete roadmap decision. The survey results suggest the developers are listening to their community and intend to shape future content around the preferences their own players have articulated.

A Population Split That Tells a Story

The studio’s own categorization of its playerbase divides the community into three distinct groups. Friendly co-op players now make up 37% of the population, a segment Embark notes has grown consistently since launch. This steady upward trajectory signals that the game’s cooperative mechanics are resonating with players who prioritize teamwork and shared progression over the cutthroat nature of extraction gameplay. Mixed players account for 27% of the community, occupying the middle ground where competitive and cooperative elements blend together. Meanwhile, pure PvP players form 34% of the base, a group the studio describes as having remained remarkably stable since the game’s release.

The stability of the PvP segment is worth examining in context. Extraction shooters have historically cultivated a fiercely competitive environment, and the fact that this group has not expanded or contracted suggests a loyal, entrenched core of players who are satisfied with the status quo. Yet the growth of the friendly co-op segment tells a different story—one of expanding appeal and broadening the game’s reach beyond its traditional competitive niche. The 27% of mixed players further reinforces the idea that Arc Raiders has carved out a flexible identity, accommodating players who want to engage with the game’s systems in whatever manner suits them on any given session.

“Over 70% of Friendly players and even 40% of PvP players express a desire for fewer hostile encounters and 51% of the surveyed playerbase has expressed an interest in a dedicated PvE option.”

Embark Studios

The studio’s own commentary on these figures is perhaps the most revealing element of the announcement. By highlighting that a majority of friendly players and a substantial minority of competitive players both want fewer hostile encounters, Embark is effectively acknowledging that the game’s default extraction loop—built around surviving against other players—may not satisfy the entire community. The 51% figure for interest in a dedicated PvE option is especially significant, as it indicates that the demand for cooperative content is not confined to the friendly player segment but extends into the competitive heart of the base as well.

What emerges from this data is a community that is actively shaping its own experience. The survey results function as both validation and direction, giving the developers a clear mandate for the content that follows. For a live-service title, this kind of community-driven feedback loop is invaluable, and Embark appears to be treating the numbers as a roadmap rather than a mere statistic.

Looking Ahead

The announcement of the upcoming PvE update next month positions Embark to directly address the demand its own players have expressed. While the studio has not yet detailed the specific mechanics, scope, or structure of the new content, the timing is deliberate: the feature arrives at a moment when the data clearly supports its necessity. A dedicated PvE mode would allow players to engage with the game’s extraction systems—loot, progression, and survival mechanics—without the pressure of competing against other humans, offering a more relaxed and collaborative experience.

The community reaction to the announcement appears broadly positive, with players appreciating the studio’s willingness to act on their feedback. The transparency of sharing raw population data alongside the announcement has strengthened trust between Embark and its playerbase, and it sets an expectation that future updates will continue to be informed by community preferences. As the extraction shooter genre continues to evolve, titles that successfully balance competitive and cooperative elements tend to build more resilient and engaged communities.

For now, the focus remains on the next month’s update, which promises to bring a dedicated PvE option to Arc Raiders. Whether this addition will shift the population balance toward the friendly co-op segment remains to be seen, but the data suggests the studio is well-positioned to satisfy a hungry playerbase. As Embark continues to refine its approach based on real-world feedback, Arc Raiders may well serve as a model for how live-service developers can use community data to guide meaningful, player-driven evolution.