Embark Studios has a history of bold creative choices, brilliantly showcased in The Finals, an exceptionally vibrant and flashy multiplayer game. Its aesthetic perfectly captures the over-the-top spectacle of a high-stakes game show, complete with outlandish skins that, while fitting its zany tone, would feel utterly out of place in most other shooters. Now, Embark is back with Arc Raiders, an extraction shooter set in a post-disaster world, yet somehow it still manages to look incredibly stylish. Given this distinct setting, it’s clear the cosmetic options will need a more restrained approach. While a pink bunny suit or a gundam outfit works in The Finals, they’d severely clash with Arc Raiders’ atmosphere. Fans of games like Call of Duty and Battlefield have often expressed frustration over immersion-breaking “wacky” skins and unexpected crossovers. So, I pressed Embark on how they plan to avoid similar pitfalls while still offering engaging cosmetic choices.
Previously, Arc Raiders’ design director, Virgil Watkins, discussed the game’s difficulty balance and Embark’s strategic use of artificial intelligence during its creation. Reassuringly, Watkins confirmed that generative AI had no part in crafting the game’s impressive visual and audio elements, which personally left a strong impression on me.
The raider suits in the game strike a perfect balance, appearing grounded yet undeniably stylish. The Arc bots themselves are truly formidable, both visually and audibly – a remarkable achievement, considering how many robot enemies gamers have encountered over the years. Across the board, the audio design is outstanding, complemented by the captivating synth tracks featured in its trailers and menus.
However, a growing sentiment among fans is a weariness of multiplayer titles forsaking their core aesthetic for the sake of pushing outlandish character and weapon skins, or incongruous collaborations. Watkins acknowledged that while cosmetic direction often falls to Embark’s creative director and art team, he assured me that Arc Raiders will firmly steer clear of this trend.
“My firm belief is that we will steadfastly uphold our established aesthetic,” he stated. “Everything will align with our design principles, seamlessly integrating into the game’s world and narrative.” He emphasized that while Embark aims to offer players maximum freedom for self-expression, it must always be contained within the game’s foundational framework.
“I recall a discussion in a meeting where it was clearly stated we would never create, for instance, a Santa Claus outfit,” he reminisced. “However, we might design something within our unique tone and aesthetic that evokes the spirit of Santa Claus. This isn’t a promise of Santa-themed attire, but rather an illustration of the boundary we draw. We are highly vigilant in ensuring that all in-game content aligns with our visual identity, tone, and setting.”
“Given how fundamental these elements are to our game’s strength, it would be truly detrimental to undermine them by suddenly introducing something like a T-Rex costume,” he added. “The fleeting novelty simply isn’t worth compromising the core experience.”
This commitment is genuinely welcome news. While there’s undoubtedly a segment of players who might spend money to become “Raidersaurus” or some similarly outlandish character, Watkins’ point stands: such additions would only alienate those deeply invested in the game’s world and narrative, and the fleeting humor isn’t a fair trade for that disappointment.
As of this writing, Arc Raiders is available and boasts over 200,000 concurrent players on Steam alone – an impressive achievement for an extraction shooter. I firmly believe that the game’s unique aesthetic has been a major factor in its broader appeal, drawing in an audience far larger than initially expected.
For those diving into the game, be sure to check out our helpful guides. We offer recommendations on the best Arc Raider builds for your initial runs and a comprehensive explanation of what Arc Raiders Hatch Keys can do to enhance your experience.
Share your thoughts on Arc Raiders with us in our community Discord server – I’m eager to hear your experiences in the coming days!