A user of Arc Raiders, known as 17prozent on Reddit, has conducted an unusual social experiment to explore the competitive nature of the game’s community. His mission: to discover whether players prioritize obtaining loot or simply eliminating other competitors. To do this, he launched into 75 raids without any gear, claiming it was a representation of the Naked Man. Without weapons, without shields, and using only a hammer, 17prozent sought to interact peacefully, even warning other players that he posed no threat, as he could only provide a maximum of 500 XP upon his elimination.
Impossible to show more vulnerability
However, the response he received was overwhelmingly hostile: out of his 75 attempts, 63 resulted in his death, often with the surprise of being shot instantly at the moment he tried to demonstrate his vulnerability. “Congratulations on killing a naked guy with a hammer, I guess,” lamented the player in his post, reflecting his discontent after a series of quick deaths.
After dealing with so many eliminations, 17prozent decided to change his approach by using a duck as part of his experience. By presenting himself as Duck-Man, he noticed a drastic change in the dynamics of the game. Friendly interaction increased by 90%, showing that a playful approach can completely transform the experience in Arc Raiders, where players tend to be more aggressive.
Arc Raiders is an emerging title that seeks to combine elements from iconic games like Shadow of the Colossus, Left 4 Dead, and PUBG. The developer, Embark Studios, has admitted that it is in the process of defining its gameplay mechanics and the overall direction of the title. As the community expands its interactions, the story of 17prozent adds to the rich narrative surrounding this new game.
