I recently spent a weekend diving deep into Arc Raiders’ solo queue, and to my surprise, I’ve been having an absolute blast. It’s captivated my imagination in a way no game has since the early days of World of Warcraft. While still early, I sense this game has the potential to become a true classic.
What truly fascinates me about Arc Raiders is how players interact within its beautifully rendered world. Extraction shooters are widely known for their brutal and unforgiving nature, but during my solo sessions, I haven’t quite experienced that typical harshness.
In fact, roughly two-thirds of player encounters can be de-escalated and handled peacefully. A simple emote, a “hands up” gesture, or a quick “don’t shoot” can often lead to weapons being lowered.
For me, this game has become a factory for creating memorable, even magical, moments. The quiet fear and impulse to hide in corners when gunfire erupts have given way to a nervous excitement whenever I sense another player nearby. I’ve transitioned from being scared of my own shadow to actively wanting to connect and engage with new allies.
I’ve come to believe the game functions like a playable Rorschach test, particularly for British players, who might find its social demands a bit unsettling. My personal strategy, if you can call it that, is simply to talk to other players – a concept I know might sound completely mad to some.
As a general observation, people from the UK often shy away from using their microphones when interacting with strangers in online games, almost without exception. This stands in contrast to players from other countries. When discussing this with American or European friends, I’m often surprised by their willingness to engage in online conversation. Perhaps it’s our uniquely British reluctance to voice our true thoughts aloud.
As an Englishman navigating the world of Speranza, I can tell you from experience: if you truly want to make connections and succeed, you need to speak up. And often, you’ll need to be the one to initiate the conversation.
More often than not, when I spot another player, I’m the one to break the silence. I go beyond just an emote like ‘don’t shoot’; I’ll actually say, “Hey, I see you, and I’m friendly.”
Alternatively, if a skirmish has already begun, a quick, “Chill, chill, chill!” can instantly de-escalate the tension, even if the other player doesn’t respond verbally. I’ve had genuinely pleasant experiences simply waiting by extraction points with newly formed, temporary allies.
On a few occasions, using emotes and voice chat after being downed has actually resulted in a revive and a second chance. It seems even the most ruthless raiders can experience a moment of empathy.
I’ve been pondering why Arc Raiders feels like a more welcoming world to traverse compared to games like Tarkov or Hunt.
In part, I believe it’s due to a “Blizzard-ification” of the extraction shooter genre. Arc Raiders is an incredibly polished, visually appealing, and smooth game. Its accessibility allows it to draw in a more casual audience, who might be less jaded than seasoned veterans of the genre. Another factor is the “Arc” enemies themselves; their genuinely bizarre and awe-inspiring appearance adds a unique sense of wonder to the experience.
However, the primary reason, I believe, lies in the specific dynamics of solo queue. In this mode, there’s little realistic hope of single-handedly defeating the larger Arc creatures. Everyone is equally vulnerable and at risk. And honestly, if you’re going to perish, you likely aren’t carrying enough valuable loot to make a fight over it worthwhile. This significantly alters the risk-reward calculation for engaging in combat. It’s often not worth the confrontation when a 75% chance of escaping with your gear alongside a stranger offers better odds than a 30-50% chance of winning a solo firefight for a few extra scraps. This environment naturally fosters cooperation and community over pure combat prowess.
Finally, I should admit that I’m likely more outgoing than the average player; I enjoy striking up conversations and forming temporary alliances. Perhaps that’s not your current playstyle.
So, if you find yourself struggling in solo queues, here’s my advice: turn on your microphone. Start talking. Take that small step to put yourself out there. The absolute worst thing that can happen is someone you’ll never encounter again hears your voice.
I truly believe that by simply engaging your mic and initiating conversation, you’ll unlock a richer, more rewarding experience from this fantastic game.