In the world of extraction shooters, the general consensus is usually shoot first, or die with your pockets full of loot. ARC Raiders developer Embark Studios is trying something a little more sophisticated.
It turns out the game has been watching you. And if you’re a bit of a menace, it’s going to make sure you play with other menaces.
Following a wave of community theories during the recent playtests. Embark’s Art Director, Robert Sammelin, has essentially confirmed that the game uses what players are calling Aggression-Based Matchmaking (ABMM).
How it Works
The theory started on Reddit and Discord. Players noticed a distinct shift in lobby vibes. If you spend your matches being a PvP aggressor, hunting down solos, camping extracts, and generally choosing violence, the game takes notes.
Before long, you’ll find yourself in lobbies where everyone else is just as bloodthirsty as you are.
On the flip side, players who lean into the “co-op” part of the PvEvP experience (using emotes, reviving strangers, and focusing on the ARC machines) report being dropped into much calmer sessions.
Sammelin clarified the studio’s stance, stating: “Without going into excruciating detail, it is quite complex. We do analyze behavior and match accordingly“
A new direction
This is a fascinating move for the genre. Usually, matchmaking is a binary choice: you’re either matched by skill (SBMM) or by the gear you’re carrying.
By factoring in intent, Embark is attempting to solve the age-old extraction shooter problem: how do you let pacifists enjoy the atmosphere without them being farmed by sweat-lords?
It’s a “rats deserve rats” philosophy. If you want to play ARC Raiders like it’s Call of Duty, go for it. Just don’t be surprised when your next extraction is a literal warzone.
For those of us who just want to soak in that stunning sci-fi aesthetic. All while taking down some giant robots without getting backstabbed every five minutes. This might just be the secret sauce that makes ARC Raiders stand out in a very crowded market.
What do you think?
For us, ARC Raiders is way more satisfying when you team-up and go your separate ways again in short bursts. We’re all out there to survive and to get the gear we need.
We’re all hunted by the ARC, and we all want to progress. S, whilst the PvP element keeps us on our toes and certainly adds a dimension of danger to the experience. This new approach to matchmaking feels special.
Are you a friendly looter or a shoot-on-sight specialist? Let us know if you’ve noticed the lobby shift in the comments.
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