ARC Raiders and Marathon Signal a Major Shift for Extraction Shooters
Extraction shooters have long been defined by tension. The formula is simple but brutal: enter a dangerous zone, gather valuable loot, survive enemy AI, avoid or defeat rival players, and escape before everything goes wrong. The risk of losing your hard-earned gear to another squad is what gives the genre its adrenaline rush.
But that same pressure may also be pushing some players away.
Two upcoming changes in ARC Raiders and Marathon suggest that developers are rethinking what extraction shooters need to be. Instead of forcing every player into high-stakes PvPvE matches, both games are exploring modes that reduce or remove the threat of hostile players.
ARC Raiders is preparing to test an optional PvE mode from October 13 to 20. In this version, players will battle only against ARC machines, without the added danger of other human opponents. The trade-off is that loot in PvE is expected to be less valuable, keeping the highest rewards tied to the more dangerous modes. Embark Studios has made it clear that this is currently only a test, not a confirmed permanent feature.
Marathon is taking the idea even further. Bungie is planning to add a permanent PvE mode in December, giving players a lasting option to experience the game without direct player-versus-player combat. More mode variations are also expected later, with clearer separation between PvE, PvP, and PvPvE experiences.
That is a notable departure from the traditional extraction shooter formula, where unpredictable encounters with other players are usually the heart of the experience.
The timing has sparked discussion across the gaming community. If two major extraction shooters are adding PvE-focused options around the same time, is this the beginning of a bigger trend? Are extraction shooters slowly turning into co-op loot shooters?
For many players, the appeal of PvE is obvious. Extraction shooters can be thrilling, but they can also be exhausting. Spending 20 minutes carefully looting, fighting AI enemies, and planning an escape route, only to be eliminated by a highly experienced player moments before extraction, can feel punishing rather than exciting.
That kind of frustration is part of the genre’s identity, but not everyone wants it every session. Some players simply enjoy the fantasy of scavenging, upgrading gear, exploring dangerous environments, and fighting powerful enemies without the constant fear of being wiped out by another squad.
PvE modes could make extraction shooters more accessible to casual players, solo players, and groups who prefer cooperative gameplay. They can also provide a less stressful way to learn maps, test weapons, complete objectives, and enjoy the world without feeling constantly hunted.
However, not everyone sees this shift as a positive one.
For longtime fans of extraction shooters, the threat of other players is not just an extra feature. It is the main source of intensity. Without PvP, every run can begin to feel more predictable. The possibility of losing everything creates emotional investment, and the possibility of outplaying another team creates unforgettable moments.
Remove that danger, and critics argue that extraction shooters risk losing what makes them special. If there is no rival squad waiting near the extraction point, no ambush in a dark corridor, and no tense decision about whether to fight or flee, the experience may start to resemble a standard co-op shooter with loot.
That is the challenge facing ARC Raiders and Marathon. Developers are trying to broaden the audience without alienating the core players who came for the high-risk, high-reward gameplay.
The genre itself is not necessarily in trouble. Games like Escape from Tarkov and Hunt: Showdown 1896 have proven that traditional PvPvE extraction gameplay can maintain a dedicated audience for years. These games thrive on tension, uncertainty, and the knowledge that every decision matters.
The bigger question is how large that audience can become.
ARC Raiders launched with massive attention and reached a peak of more than 400,000 concurrent players on Steam. Since then, its active player count has settled much lower, often around 30,000 to 40,000 concurrent players. That is still a strong number, but it suggests that the enormous launch hype may not automatically translate into long-term mainstream retention.
This pattern highlights a key issue for extraction shooters: they often attract a lot of curious players at launch, but only the most committed stick around. The genre rewards patience, map knowledge, mechanical skill, and a high tolerance for loss. That creates a passionate hardcore community, but it can also make the experience intimidating for newcomers.
PvE modes may be one solution. By giving players multiple ways to engage with the game, developers can keep the intense PvPvE experience intact while offering a more relaxed alternative. If balanced carefully, PvE does not have to replace extraction gameplay. It can act as an entry point, a training ground, or a separate progression path for players who prefer cooperative action.
The risk is that splitting the player base across too many modes could weaken matchmaking and blur the identity of the game. If rewards are too generous in PvE, competitive modes may feel less meaningful. If rewards are too weak, PvE may feel pointless. Finding the right balance will be crucial.
ARC Raiders and Marathon appear to be testing the future of the extraction shooter genre in real time. The old formula still has loyal fans, but the market may be demanding more flexibility. Players want tension, but not always exhaustion. They want danger, but not always frustration. They want meaningful loot, but not always the risk of losing everything to someone with thousands of hours of experience.
The next evolution of extraction shooters may not be about abandoning PvP. It may be about giving players a choice.
If ARC Raiders and Marathon can offer intense PvPvE for hardcore fans while also creating rewarding PvE experiences for co-op players, they could expand the genre beyond its current limits. If not, extraction shooters may remain a niche built for a dedicated but relatively small audience.
Either way, the message is clear: the extraction shooter formula is changing, and PvE may play a much bigger role in its future than many players expected.
