No, Arc Raiders is not free-to-play. The upcoming extraction shooter from Embark Studios will launch as a premium title costing $39.99 for the standard edition and $59.99 for the deluxe edition on October 30, 2025. Despite originally being announced as free-to-play like The Finals, Embark Studios made the strategic decision to shift to a premium model to focus on player engagement and game balance rather than monetization pressure.
| Key Information | Details |
|---|---|
| Base Price | $39.99 USD |
| Deluxe Edition | $59.99 USD |
| Release Date | October 30, 2025 |
| Platforms | PC, PS5, Xbox Series X |
| Free Playtest | October 17-19, 2025 |
| Battle Pass | Yes (included despite premium price) |
| Microtransactions | Yes (cosmetic-focused) |
This comprehensive guide breaks down everything you need to know about Arc Raiders' pricing model, why the developers abandoned the free-to-play approach, regional pricing variations, and what this means for players considering jumping into this highly anticipated extraction shooter.
Contents
Embark Studios originally planned for Arc Raiders to follow the same free-to-play model as their previous hit, The Finals. However, after careful consideration during development, the team made the significant decision to pivot to a premium pricing structure. Executive producer Aleksander Grøndal explained the reasoning behind this change:
"After careful assessment, we decided the premium business model is a great fit for the experience that we're building. For free-to-play games, they need to strike a careful balance between providing engaging content and encouraging players to make purchases. For Arc Raiders, this shift will allow us to focus more on the engagement, fun, and impact on choices with regards to how the game evolves over time."
The key reasons for abandoning the free-to-play model include:
Free-to-play games constantly need to balance gameplay with encouraging players to spend money. By adopting a premium model, Embark Studios can focus entirely on creating an engaging, balanced, and replayable experience without the pressure to design systems that drive purchases.
With a premium model, developers can be more generous with rewards and progression systems. Grøndal mentioned that this approach allows them to "give out more rewards as the player progresses" without worrying about monetization metrics.
The premium model removes the need to implement systems that might compromise game balance for the sake of monetization. This gives the development team more creative freedom to design the game experience they envision.
Arc Raiders will launch with two main editions, each offering different value propositions for players:
The base game experience includes:
The premium edition offers additional value with:
Embark Studios has implemented regional pricing to make Arc Raiders more accessible in different markets. The standard $39.99 USD price point varies significantly across regions:
| Country/Region | Local Price | USD Equivalent | Price Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | $39.99 | $39.99 | — |
| India | ₹2,467 | $27.79 | -30.48% |
| Indonesia | Rp 463,182 | $27.93 | -30.15% |
| China | ¥199.64 | $28.04 | -29.88% |
| Ukraine | ₴11,616 | $28.07 | -29.79% |
| Vietnam | ₫746,000 | $28.29 | -29.27% |
| Philippines | ₱1,838.90 | $31.65 | -20.86% |
| Thailand | ฿1,031.10 | $31.73 | -20.66% |
| Brazil | R$171.80 | $32.23 | -19.39% |
| Russia | ₽3,220 | $39.99 | 0% |
| Japan | ¥6,000 | $39.75 | -0.60% |
| Australia | A$60.78 | $40.06 | +0.19% |
| New Zealand | NZ$69.90 | $40.61 | +1.57% |
| Mexico | Mex$759.00 | $41.36 | +3.45% |
This regional pricing strategy makes the game significantly more affordable in emerging markets while maintaining the premium positioning in developed economies.
Even though Arc Raiders is adopting a premium pricing model, it will still include additional monetization features similar to live service games:
The game features a premium currency called "Raider Tokens" that can be purchased with real money. While exact pricing isn't finalized, it's expected to follow industry standards (approximately $10 for 1,000 tokens).
Arc Raiders will include a battle pass system with multiple tracks:
The game will offer various cosmetic items for purchase:
While the battle passes include gameplay-altering content, Embark Studios has confirmed that none of these items are exclusive to premium tracks. All gameplay-affecting items can be earned through regular gameplay, ensuring that paying doesn't provide a competitive advantage.
Before the full launch, Embark Studios is offering everyone a chance to try Arc Raiders for free during the Server Slam event:
Players who participate in the Server Slam and link their Embark ID will receive an exclusive Server Slammer Backpack when the full game launches. Note that all progress made during the playtest will not carry over to the full release.
Arc Raiders will launch on multiple platforms with robust cross-platform features:
While official system requirements haven't been released, based on the game's Unreal Engine 5 foundation and similar titles, players can expect:
Given the $40 price point, let's break down the value proposition of Arc Raiders:
At $40, Arc Raiders is priced similarly to other successful premium multiplayer games:
This pricing positions Arc Raiders as a premium experience without the $60+ price tag of AAA titles.
The shift from free-to-play to premium has generated significant community discussion:
Embark Studios has been actively addressing community concerns:
The developer implemented significant regional pricing reductions after community feedback, with discounts of up to 30% in many emerging markets.
The team has been clear about what will and won't be included in the monetization systems, emphasizing that gameplay-affecting items will be available through regular gameplay.
Embark has committed to supporting Arc Raiders with regular content updates, seasonal events, and new features post-launch, similar to their approach with The Finals.
Based on the information available, here's an assessment of whether Arc Raiders justifies its $40 price tag:
Arc Raiders' shift to a premium pricing model appears to be a thoughtful decision that prioritizes player experience over monetization. By charging upfront, Embark Studios can focus on creating a balanced, engaging game without the constant pressure to drive in-game purchases.
The $40 price point positions it as an accessible premium experience, especially with regional pricing adjustments that make it more affordable in many markets. While the inclusion of a battle pass and microtransactions in a paid game may raise some eyebrows, the developer's commitment to ensuring no gameplay advantages are locked behind paywalls helps mitigate these concerns.
For players looking for a complete, balanced extraction shooter experience without the free-to-play monetization grind, Arc Raiders' premium model represents a potentially refreshing alternative in today's gaming landscape.
Stay connected with the Arc Raiders community through these official channels:
No, Arc Raiders is not free-to-play. It's a premium title that costs $39.99 for the standard edition and $59.99 for the deluxe edition.
Embark Studios decided that a premium model would allow them to focus more on player engagement, fun, and game balance rather than encouraging players to make purchases. This approach gives them more creative freedom and allows for better reward distribution.
Yes, despite being a premium game, Arc Raiders will include microtransactions for cosmetic items and a battle pass system. However, no gameplay-affecting items will be exclusive to premium purchases.
The Server Slam (October 17-19, 2025) offers free access to one map (Dam Battlegrounds) with early and mid-tier gear, basic crafting systems, and special gameplay conditions. No sign-up is required.
No, Arc Raiders will not be available on Xbox Game Pass or PlayStation Plus at launch. You'll need to purchase the game separately.
Yes, Arc Raiders supports full cross-platform play between PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S, along with cross-save functionality through Embark ID.
The battle pass is expected to cost 500 Raider Tokens (approximately $5), and players can earn Raider Tokens through gameplay or purchase them with real money.
No, seasonal content updates will be free for all players who own the base game. The battle pass and cosmetic items are optional purchases.
No, all progress made during the Server Slam playtest will be reset for the full launch. However, participants will receive an exclusive backpack cosmetic.
Based on the announced content and features, Arc Raiders offers a complete multiplayer experience with no content locked behind paywalls, making the $40 price competitive with other premium multiplayer games.
Whether you're a extraction shooter veteran or new to the genre, Arc Raiders' premium model promises a refreshing take on multiplayer gaming without the constant monetization pressure of free-to-play titles. Mark your calendars for October 30, 2025, and don't forget to jump into the free Server Slam playtest October 17-19 to experience the game firsthand!