Embark Studios is riding the high on the unexpected triumph of ARC Raiders. In a candid interview with IGN published recently, CEO Patrick Söderlund revealed that the studio's breakout extraction shooter has not only turned a healthy profit but also paved the way for two entirely new games currently in the works. This announcement comes amid a challenging industry landscape marked by widespread layoffs at studios like Ubisoft, positioning Embark as a beacon of stability and ambition.
Launched on October 30th, 2025, ARC Raiders arrived after a dramatic development pivot. Initially conceived as a PvE looter shooter, the project evolved into a tense, PvPvE extraction experience where squads scavenge resources from robot-infested ruins while fending off rival players and escalating ARC threats. The risk paid off handsomely. Söderlund acknowledged rumors of a $75 million budget as "not too far off," confirming the game has delivered substantial returns, enabling competitive salaries, bonuses, and team expansion.
Post-launch support has been relentless, with major content drops every month to keep the live-service engine humming. November's North Line update introduced the Stella Montis map, unlocked via a community event that players completed in record time. This snowy research facility added verticality, tight interiors, and electromagnetic storms, shaking up raid strategies.
December's Cold Snap brought the punishing Snowfall condition, where exposure to the elements drains health, forcing teams into heated shelters and amplifying close-quarters chaos. All of the momentum from Arc Raiders carried into 2026 with Embark unveiling a detailed roadmap for January through April, dubbed the "Escalation" series.
January's Headwinds, already live, added level 40+ matchmaking lobbies, player projects for base upgrades, a new raider deck, minor map conditions, and an expedition window. February's Shrouded Sky promises a new map condition, ARC threat, player projects, and map updates. March's Flashpoint ramps up with another condition, fresh threats, scrap upgrades, and more. The highlight arrives in April with Riven Tides: a brand-new coastal map, large-scale ARC boss, expedition window, and escalating environmental hazards.
This cadence for content mirrors the free-to-play model of Embark's other hit, The Finals, blending cosmetics, season passes, and gameplay refreshes to sustain engagement. ARC Raiders, priced at $40 upfront, benefits similarly, with revenue fueling ongoing development. Söderlund emphasized building "things that people love," even as live-service agility means some roadmap elements solidify closer to release.
Not all feedback has been glowing, however. Some players voiced dissatisfaction with the roadmap's high-level overview, craving specifics on weapons, mechanics, or timelines. Söderlund addressed this directly, validating concerns while explaining the fluid nature of iterative updates. "We understand where they're coming from," he noted, committing to greater transparency without overpromising.
The studio's growth underscores ARC Raiders' impact. Amid industry turbulence, Embark is hiring aggressively to support both titles and the nascent projects. Söderlund's quip about the new games "we hope to finish someday" adds a touch of caution to the genuine optimism, hinting at ambitious scopes without specifics on genres or timelines. Speculation runs wild for the projects, are they sequels, spin-offs, or bold departures leveraging Embark's Battlefield pedigree?
Founded in 2018 by ex-DICE veterans, Embark burst onto the scene with The Finals in 2023, a destructible-arena shooter that proved their live-service chops. ARC Raiders built on that, refining extraction tension with procedural elements, deep customization, and robot hordes that adapt to player aggression. Recent anti-cheat wins, like banning tens of thousands and Steam Family Sharing restrictions, further solidify its reputation.
Looking ahead, the roadmap teases richer PvE escalation, aligning with Söderlund's vision of PvE as the "secret sauce." Trading expansions, aggression-based matchmaking tweaks, and potential media deals (rumors of series or movie interest) swirl in the community. or now, raiders can grind Headwinds for fresh loot while dreaming of what's next.