TL;DR
- Duos matchmaking is now prioritized in Arc Raiders
- Cosmetic prices reduced starting November 13, 2025
- Players who overpaid will receive refunds in Raider Tokens
- Future paid Raider Decks will be cosmetic-only (no pay-to-win)
- Game continues breaking records since October 30 launch
Quick Read (60 seconds)
Embark Studios is responding to player concerns by implementing major changes to Arc Raiders. The extraction shooter, which launched October 30 and quickly surpassed Helldivers 2’s concurrent player records, is adding duos matchmaking alongside existing solos and trios options.
Starting November 13, store cosmetic prices will decrease, with players receiving refunds for price differences. The developer has also committed to keeping gameplay advantages out of paid content—future paid Raider Decks will contain only cosmetics, while free decks include items affecting gameplay.
Arc Raiders Adds Duos Matchmaking Following Community Requests
Embark Studios announced immediate changes to Arc Raiders’ matchmaking system after analyzing player feedback. The game now prioritizes pairing duo players with other duos, addressing one of the community’s most requested features since the October 30 launch.
Previously, matchmaking only separated players into solos and trios, forcing duo teams to compete against mismatched group sizes. While the developer notes that matchmaking still prioritizes quick queue times—meaning occasional mixed-group matches may occur—the update represents a significant quality-of-life improvement for players who prefer the two-person squad format.
The timing of this change aligns with Arc Raiders’ explosive success in the extraction shooter market. The game has outperformed major titles like Battlefield 6 and set new concurrent player benchmarks, surpassing even Helldivers 2’s record-breaking numbers on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC.
Cosmetic Price Reductions Coming to Arc Raiders Store
In response to community criticism about high cosmetic prices, Embark Studios confirmed price adjustments taking effect during the November 13 store rotation. Players who purchased overpriced items before the reduction will receive automatic refunds in Raider Tokens within the coming week.
This retroactive compensation demonstrates the developer’s commitment to fair monetization. Players should monitor their Raider Token balance for incoming refunds, which will credit the difference between original purchase prices and new reduced rates.
The store adjustment comes as Embark Studios clarifies its monetization philosophy for the long term. With new maps, quests, and content planned for upcoming weeks and months, the developer is working to balance revenue generation with player satisfaction.
No Pay-to-Win: Arc Raiders Raider Decks Explained
Embark Studios addressed concerns about potential pay-to-win mechanics by outlining its approach to Raider Decks. Currently, Arc Raiders features one free Raider Deck, with plans for both free and premium options in development.
The key distinction: only free Raider Decks will contain items that influence gameplay. Paid Raider Decks will exclusively offer cosmetic content, ensuring paying players gain no competitive advantages over free-to-play users.
This design philosophy has earned praise from the Arc Raiders community, with many players celebrating the decision as consumer-friendly. By reserving gameplay-affecting items for free content, Embark Studios avoids the pay-to-win pitfalls that have plagued other live-service shooters.
The developer’s transparent communication and rapid response to feedback suggest a sustainable approach to the game’s live-service model. As Arc Raiders continues building momentum in the extraction shooter space, these early decisions about monetization and game modes may define its long-term success.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does Arc Raiders duos matchmaking go live?
Duos matchmaking is already live in Arc Raiders as of November 2025. The system prioritizes matching duo players with other duos, though quick queue times may occasionally result in mixed-group matches. This feature was added following community feedback requesting better matchmaking options for two-player teams.
Will Arc Raiders have pay-to-win mechanics?
No. Embark Studios confirmed that paid Raider Decks will contain cosmetics only, while free Raider Decks will include items that affect gameplay. This ensures players who spend money gain no competitive advantages over free-to-play users, addressing common concerns in the extraction shooter genre.
How do Arc Raiders cosmetic refunds work?
Players who purchased cosmetics before the November 13 price reduction will automatically receive the price difference refunded in Raider Tokens within one week. Check your Raider Token balance after November 13 to see credited amounts. No action is required from players to receive these refunds.
What platforms is Arc Raiders available on?
Arc Raiders launched October 30, 2025 on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC. The extraction shooter has achieved significant success across all platforms, breaking concurrent player records previously held by Helldivers 2 and generating more interest than major releases like Battlefield 6.
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