ARC Raiders on PS5 and Xbox Comes With a Catch – No Console-Only Crossplay

ARC Raiders from Embark Studios launches October 30, 2025, on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S, but brings bad news for console players. The game won't support console-only crossplay, meaning you'll have to play against PC players with keyboard and mouse. Server Slam Playtest runs October 17-19 and is open to everyone without an invite. Standard edition costs €39.99, Deluxe Edition €59.99.

What Is ARC Raiders and Why Am I Talking About It?

ARC Raiders is a third-person extraction shooter from Embark Studios set in a post-apocalyptic world. The game was originally announced during The Game Awards 2021 as a free-to-play cooperative shooter, but over the years underwent a major concept shift – now it's a PvPvE extraction shooter with a premium price tag, where you'll fight not only against AI but also against other players.

Most of humanity has been driven underground due to hostile threats on the surface. You, as a raider, must venture to the surface, scavenge for resources, and most importantly – survive. It's a mix of action, tactics, and constant stress because you never know whether AI or another player will get you.

Why should I care? Because extraction shooters like Escape from Tarkov or Hunt: Showdown show that this genre has enormous potential. ARC Raiders wants to be the next big thing in this space.

The Main Problem – No Console-Only Crossplay 🎮

And here comes the biggest issue that Embark Studios confirmed via their discord server. ARC Raiders will have full crossplay across all platforms, which sounds great on its own, but:

❌ PS5 and Xbox Series X/S players won't have the option to play only against each other

What does this specifically mean for you if you play on console?

✓ You must play against PC players with keyboard and mouse
✓ Higher probability of encountering cheaters (PC platforms notoriously have bigger issues with cheats)
✓ Potentially unfair competitive advantage for PC players

Why Is This a Problem for Console Players? ⚠️

Look, I'll be straight with you. Console-only crossplay is a feature console players actively seek out, and for good reasons:

💡 Keyboard vs. controller – Even though many modern games have aim assist on consoles, keyboard and mouse still offer more precise and faster control, especially in extraction shooters where every second counts.

💡 Cheaters – Extraction shooters like Escape from Tarkov have had serious problems with cheaters on PC. When you don't have the option to disable crossplay with PC, you expose yourself to this risk.

💡 Competitive fairness – Games like Call of Duty: Warzone or Fortnite offer console-only modes precisely to ensure the experience is fair.

Comparison With Competition

Pricing and Editions of ARC Raiders 💰

According to available information, ARC Raiders will be available in two editions:

Standard Edition: €39.99
Deluxe Edition: €59.99

Embark Studios hasn't revealed yet what exactly the Deluxe Edition contains, but typically with extraction shooters you can expect:

✓ Exclusive cosmetic items
✓ Priority access or early access
✓ Special gear or starter pack
✓ Season pass or DLC credits

ARC Raiders was originally supposed to be a free-to-play title, but during development the studio changed the model to premium. This suggests they're trying to avoid aggressive monetization and pay-to-win mechanics.

Server Slam Playtest – Your Chance to Try the Game 🎯

Even though the news about crossplay is pretty bad, there's also good news. Server Slam Playtest will run October 17-19, 2025 and will be available to all players globally on all platforms.

What Is Server Slam?

It's a server stress test where Embark Studios wants to see how much traffic the servers can handle before the official launch on October 30. For you, this means:

✓ No invite needed – anyone can sign up
✓ Available on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S – all platforms at once
✓ Globally – no regional restrictions
✓ Last chance before release to try the game

Embark Studios originally stated there wouldn't be any more playtests, but they walked back on this decision. This shows they're actively listening to the community.

🎁 Giveaway on My Stream – Win an ARC Raiders Key!

On October 17, the day the Server Slam Playtest starts, I'll be giving away 1 ARC Raiders key on my stream within my community. If you want to save those 40€ and try the game completely free, stop by my stream and join the competition.

The conditions are simple:
✓ Watch the stream on October 17
✓ Be an active community member
✓ Meet the giveaway requirements I'll announce on stream

It's my way of thanking the community for their support and giving you a chance to try out a game I'm writing about and genuinely interested in. See you there!

The Countdown Controversy – What Happened? 😤

In June 2024, Embark Studios launched an online countdown that generated massive hype. Many fans thought it was a shadow-drop of the game (immediate release without prior announcement). Instead, however, the countdown only led to the release date announcement.

Embark Studios then apologized to the community for false hope and explained the goal was to be "playful" and "hype-building." Honestly? They made a mistake here. A countdown without clear context always generates speculation and false expectations.

❌ A common mistake – Marketing teams often overdo the hype-building, which leads to community disappointment, even if the game itself might be great.

History of ARC Raiders Changes 📊

Since the announcement during The Game Awards 2021, the game has gone through significant evolution:

2021: Announced as free-to-play cooperative shooter
2022-2023: Quiet development, no major news
2024: Pivot to PvPvE extraction shooter + change to premium model
2025: Release October 30 with full crossplay (€39.99 standard / €59.99 Deluxe)

Recommendations and Tips for Players 💡

If you're planning to play ARC Raiders on console, here are my recommendations:

1. Try Server Slam Playtest (October 17-19) – You'll see firsthand how crossplay works and whether it's acceptable for you
2. Watch my stream on October 17 – You'll have a chance to win a key for free in the giveaway
3. Consider upgrading peripherals – If your console supports keyboard and mouse, you can level the competitive disadvantage
4. Play with a team – Coordinated team-play is crucial in extraction shooters
5. Monitor anti-cheat system development – The studio should be transparent about addressing cheats
6. Wait for reviews – With a €40 price tag, it's not a bad idea to wait for first impressions

Pro Tips for Extraction Shooters

💡 Always have an exit strategy – Never enter a zone without a plan for how to get out
💡 Don't hoard too much loot – If you find a valuable item, consider an early extraction
💡 Communication is key – In a team, communication is the difference between victory and death
💡 Map knowledge – Time spent learning the map will pay off many times over

Is ARC Raiders Still Worth It?

Despite the absence of console-only crossplay, ARC Raiders has the potential to be a great game. Embark Studios (which created The Finals) has experience making quality multiplayer games. The change from free-to-play to premium model is actually good news – it means less aggressive monetization and potentially a fairer gaming environment.

My personal take: The absence of console-only crossplay is disappointing, but it's not a dealbreaker. The €39.99 price is fair for an extraction shooter, provided the game has quality anti-cheat and well-designed matchmaking. However, for many console players this might be a reason to wait for first impressions and reviews before purchasing.

Final Summary

ARC Raiders arrives October 30, 2025 as a premium extraction shooter for €39.99 (standard) or €59.99 (Deluxe Edition) with great potential, but also with the controversial decision not to support console-only crossplay. For console players this means:

Action Items:

1. Try Server Slam Playtest October 17-19 for free
2. Watch my stream on October 17 and join the giveaway for a free key
3. Monitor initial community reactions to crossplay
4. Make your decision after watching gameplay footage and reviews
5. Prepare for potential competitive disadvantage against PC players

Related Articles:

• The Finals - Revolution in Team Shooters
• Giveaways - Win Games and Peripherals
• Escape from Tarkov - Beginner's Guide
• Hunt: Showdown - Complete Guide
• Extraction Shooters - What They Are and Why They're Popular

FAQ

Q: When is ARC Raiders releasing?
A: ARC Raiders officially releases October 30, 2025 on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S.

Q: How much does ARC Raiders cost?
A: The Standard Edition costs €39.99 and the Deluxe Edition costs €59.99.

Q: Do I need an invite for Server Slam Playtest?
A: No, Server Slam Playtest (October 17-19) is open to everyone without needing an invite and is free.

Q: How can I join the giveaway?
A: Watch my stream on October 17, where I'll be giving away 1 ARC Raiders key for community members. I'll announce the conditions during the stream.

Q: Can I disable crossplay completely?
A: Yes, crossplay can be disabled, but if you play on console, you won't have the option to play only with other console players – either with PC or not at all.

Q: Why isn't ARC Raiders free-to-play anymore?
A: Embark Studios changed the model from free-to-play to premium during development. The reason wasn't officially confirmed, but it usually means less aggressive monetization and avoiding pay-to-win mechanics.

Q: Does the game support solo players or only teams?
A: Extraction shooters typically support both solo and team play, but we don't have official confirmation for ARC Raiders yet.

Q: How large are teams in ARC Raiders?
A: Embark Studios hasn't revealed the exact team size yet, but extraction shooters usually support 2-4 member teams.