One of the defining mechanics of extraction shooters is the periodic ‘wipe,’ which resets every player’s in-game progress to zero. Recognizing this can be a divisive feature, Embark Studios, the developer behind Arc Raiders, is introducing a groundbreaking voluntary system for these resets through its ‘Expedition Projects.’
Players will gain access to an Expedition Project once they reach level 20. Each Expedition cycle is designed to run for approximately eight weeks, during which players contribute to overall progress. Upon the completion of an Expedition, players will be given the choice: they can opt to reset their progress, which includes losing all earned levels, skills, and their inventory. Crucially, their valuable cosmetics and hard-earned achievements will remain untouched. Alternatively, players who haven’t completed an Expedition, or simply prefer not to reset, can seamlessly carry their current progress into the next cycle.
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This innovative approach is designed to maintain balance and fairness across the player base. Players with less time to dedicate to Arc Raiders can avoid the frustration of returning to the game only to find all their efforts erased. Meanwhile, highly dedicated players will be celebrated with exclusive cosmetic rewards, permanent account unlocks, and strategic buffs that are active for the duration of the subsequent Expedition cycle.
Design director Virgil emphasized that these benefits are purely for bragging rights and visual customization, assuring players that those who choose to reset will not gain any power or combat advantages over others. It’s about showcasing commitment and achievement through unique in-game appearances.
As Virgil aptly puts it, “It’s not a silver bullet, and it won’t achieve the clean break that a mandatory global reset does, but it does aim to be more equitable to all players. Wherever possible, we want to value your time spent in the game as much as you do.”
Arc Raiders is set to launch on October 30 for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S. Before its official release, Embark Studios will host a ‘Server Slam Open Test’ from October 17-19, available on both PC and console. Although progress from this test will not carry over to the full game, participants will unlock an exclusive backpack cosmetic to use once the game is live.