The free Server Slam playtest for Arc Raiders, an upcoming extraction shooter from Embark Studios, has launched on Steam ahead of its October 30 release. The event is drawing significant interest, propelling the game to fourth place on Steam's global sales charts. Notably, it runs smoothly on Linux systems despite using Easy Anti-Cheat.
Arc Raiders, developed by Embark Studios—the team behind The Finals—entered its free Server Slam playtest on Steam this weekend, offering players a preview before the full launch on October 30. The event has quickly gained traction, with the game climbing to fourth place on SteamDB's current global sales chart, surpassing titles like Borderlands 4 and Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2.
A standout discovery during the playtest is the game's compatibility with Linux. Despite employing Easy Anti-Cheat, which some developers avoid for Linux support, Arc Raiders performs nearly flawlessly on various Linux distributions using Steam's Proton compatibility tools. Recent ProtonDB reports indicate smooth operation without tweaks, and players have shared positive experiences with both AMD and Nvidia graphics cards. Streamer A1RM4X demonstrated this by broadcasting over three hours of Linux gameplay on YouTube without issues.
Embark Studios has a history of Linux-friendliness; The Finals, another Easy Anti-Cheat title from the studio, remains playable on Linux nearly two years post-launch. This built-in compatibility in Easy Anti-Cheat bodes well for Arc Raiders' future support. As a competitive PvPvE extraction shooter, the game faces cheating challenges, though the effectiveness of its anti-cheat measures remains to be seen post-launch.
The game's modest minimum system requirements make it accessible on handheld devices like the Lenovo Legion Go S (currently $649.99) or Asus ROG Ally X running SteamOS, ensuring decent frame rates for a broad audience.