Embark Studios has revealed that just over a million players participated in the inaugural expedition reset for Arc Raiders, representing under 10 percent of the game's estimated 12 million buyers. The opt-in system allows players to send their characters on an adventure in exchange for rewards like cosmetics and skill points. Design director Virgil Watkins discussed feedback and upcoming improvements in a recent interview.
Arc Raiders, the extraction shooter from Embark Studios, concluded its first expedition window in December 2025. This feature lets players voluntarily reset their levelled characters and stash contents for a simulated adventure, earning rewards such as cosmetics, an XP boost for the next character, expanded inventory space, and additional skill points beyond the standard cap. To achieve the maximum skill point bonus, players needed to amass five million credits, an aspirational target that drew mixed reactions.
According to analyst estimates, the game has sold over 12 million copies since launch. Of this player base, more than one million opted into the expedition, a participation rate of less than 10 percent. Among those who joined, 35 to 40 percent successfully gathered the required credits for the full skill point rewards.
In an interview with PCGamesN, design director Virgil Watkins addressed player feedback on the system. "One of the bigger topics [of feedback] was the requirements for the final stage to get the skill points, and probably going out a bit too late with that information, because we wanted to hold off until we could calibrate it around the actual economy of the player base, rather than trying to guess really early on," Watkins said. He added, "So then, when we chose the number, which was the five million credits for the full thing, [we set] that as an aspirational goal that some players might achieve. But then I think a lot of players took that as like, 'Well, now I have to do that to get it.'"
With the next expedition window approaching in just over a month, Embark is analyzing player data to introduce more variety and adjust credit requirements if needed. Unlike many extraction titles with mandatory wipes, Arc Raiders' opt-in approach preserves progress for casual players wary of losing hard-earned loot. The game continues to gain traction into 2026, bolstered by affordable pricing and holiday promotions, while Hollywood expresses interest in a potential adaptation.
