Tag: Embark

Arc Raiders receives a new update that improves the game's weak point: the matchmaking system

The recent Flashpoint update of Arc Raiders has brought a series of significant changes aimed at improving the player experience in the game’s post-apocalyptic environment. Among the new features are two new weapons: submachine guns and energy shotguns, which expand the available arsenal for the raiders. Additionally, a new aerial enemy has been introduced, which promises to add an extra level of challenge to encounters with its powerful laser weapons. An improvement in who we are matched with One of the most notable aspects of this update is the enhancement of the matchmaking system. According to the notes of […]

The recent Flashpoint update of Arc Raiders has brought a series of significant changes aimed at improving the player experience in the game’s post-apocalyptic environment. Among the new features are two new weapons: submachine guns and energy shotguns, which expand the available arsenal for the raiders. Additionally, a new aerial enemy has been introduced, which promises to add an extra level of challenge to encounters with its powerful laser weapons.

An improvement in who we meet with

One of the highlights of this update is the improvement in the matchmaking system. According to the patch notes for version 1.22.0, players using custom loadouts will have a higher chance of being assigned to new servers when starting a match. This measure addresses the frustrations that many players had expressed about the late arrival to matches, where they risked their gear in an already partially looted environment.

Embark, the studio behind Arc Raiders, has indicated that the free loadouts are designed as an economic safety net, allowing players to progress without the need for prior investments. With the rise of competition, especially with the introduction of Marathon and its own philosophy of free loadouts, Embark is constantly adapting its approach, ensuring that the system evolves in response to the dynamics of the game. Expectations are high regarding how these adjustments will influence the overall player experience. The company has indicated that they will continue to monitor the impact of free loadouts on the game’s economy and will make further adjustments as necessary. Improvements to the system promise to facilitate both the progress of new players and the competitiveness of veterans in the world of Arc Raiders.

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The former CEO of Nexon is clear: video games like GTA6 will cease to exist in the coming years

Owen Mahoney, former CEO of Nexon, has issued an alarming warning about the future of AAA game development, arguing that the risk aversion among industry executives could be contributing to its potential decline. Mahoney, who decided to acquire the studio Embark during his tenure, despite pressure from investors and board members, pointed out that the trend of prioritizing safe projects limits innovation and could ultimately end the sector. “I believe the AAA industry is structurally at its end,” Mahoney stated in a recent interview. Could AI save them? The leaders of large […]

Owen Mahoney, former CEO of Nexon, has issued an alarming warning about the future of AAA game development, arguing that risk aversion among industry executives may be contributing to its potential decline. Mahoney, who decided to acquire the studio Embark during his tenure, despite pressure from investors and board members, pointed out that the trend of prioritizing safe projects limits innovation and could ultimately end the sector. “I believe the AAA industry is structurally at its end,” Mahoney stated in a recent interview.

Could AI save them?

Leaders of major gaming companies face intense pressure to approve projects that do not pose significant economic risks. This, according to Mahoney, leads to a homogenization in video game creation, where developers are forced to choose between independent projects with funding difficulties or working in large studios, where their work feels more like a factory routine.

Mahoney highlights that, although the acquisition of Embark was a risk, he did it because he perceived an urgency in the development team to prove their worth. However, he warns that the industry seems trapped in a cycle of thinking that does not allow for the exploration of new ideas. “Everyone is so busy running today’s business that it is becoming very difficult for them to think about tomorrow’s business,” he emphasized.

Despite the pessimism, Mahoney also envisions significant potential growth in the coming years, driven by artificial intelligence. Although he is skeptical about current trends, he suggests that AI could lead the industry to reinvent itself and attract players who reject low-quality products. Thus, the solution to this dilemma could be a path towards renewal in video game creation, even as challenges remain present.

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ARC Raiders was almost a free-to-play game, but that would have been worse for you

Embark Studios has made the controversial decision to change the model of its game ARC Raiders, which will go from being free to a paid title, initially causing an uproar among the gaming community. However, after this transition, the team has observed significant improvements in the gaming experience, according to Virgil Watkins, the project’s design director. A worse game due to microtransactions Watkins mentioned in a recent development video that this decision has allowed the team to eliminate barriers and artificial timers that were inherent to the free-to-play model. In that system, developers […]

Embark Studios has made the controversial decision to change the model of its game ARC Raiders, which will go from being free to a paid title, initially causing an uproar among the gaming community. However, after this transition, the team has observed significant improvements in the gaming experience, according to Virgil Watkins, the project’s design director.

A worse game due to microtransactions

Watkins mentioned in a recent development video that this decision has allowed the team to remove barriers and artificial timers that were inherent to the free-to-play model. In that system, developers are forced to create mechanics aimed at keeping players engaged, which can lead to friction and frustrations. “It was difficult to respect the player’s time,” Watkins noted, adding that trivial aspects like crafting items were tied to timers that forced users to wait.

The transition to a payment model has allowed Embark to adjust the game mechanics without previous commercial limitations, enhancing the feeling of effort and reward. For example, activities like crafting items are now processed without artificial waits, which has facilitated a smoother and more rewarding experience. “Now things take the time they should take,” summarized the designer, which has impacted the perception of the game as a whole.

Despite being a paid title, with a set price of 39.99 euros, Watkins clarified that the studio will continue to explore monetization models that are not predatory. “The priority is to find sustainable methods that are fair to players,” he concluded, emphasizing that the balance between monetization and user experience remains a central challenge for the industry.

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Arc Raiders has captivated players for many reasons, but also for this curious movement technique

The movement mechanics in Arc Raiders have captured players’ attention for their originality and ability to foster creativity in gameplay. By holding the spacebar while falling, raiders can grab onto the edges of structures, allowing them to descend from heights without taking fall damage. This feature has led players to explore its use in innovative ways, especially on platforms like Reddit, where they share techniques that enhance mobility in the game. A different way to interact with the environment The ledge grab mechanics […]

The movement mechanics in Arc Raiders have captured players’ attention for their originality and ability to foster creativity in gameplay. By holding the spacebar while falling, raiders can grab onto the edges of structures, allowing them to descend from heights without taking fall damage. This feature has led players to explore its use in innovative ways, especially on platforms like Reddit, where they share techniques that enhance mobility in the game.

A different way to interact with the environment

The ledge grab mechanic allows players to make daring jumps from considerable heights, which not only offers them a distinctive style of play but also redefines their interaction with the environment. Although this technique does not provide direct advantages in combat, players have found ways to employ it strategically to improve their positioning on the map. By combining multiple grabs, it is possible to descend quickly from tall buildings, creating a sense of agility and freedom.

Additionally, Arc Raiders includes other movement techniques that enrich the gaming experience, such as rolling after a fall, which can almost eliminate damage taken from falls from extreme heights. However, the jewel of movement is undoubtedly the Snap Hoo”, a legendary gadget that allows players to move quickly and cancel animations, providing a crucial advantage in mobility. Mastering its use will require practice, but it promises to open new possibilities in raids.

The depth of the movement system in Arc Raiders highlights developer Embark’s focus on fun and dynamic gameplay, setting a new standard in the shooter genre. With techniques like ledge grab and the use of the Snap Hook, players are challenged to perfect their mobility, thus promoting an exciting competitive environment.

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The director of Arc Raiders confirms where their success comes from: they have done the exact opposite of Marathon

The extraction shooter genre continues to show untapped potential, reflected in the imminent release of two significant titles: Marathon from Bungie and Arc Raiders from Embark. Both games have conducted playtests simultaneously, providing developers the opportunity to compare their decisions and player reactions to their respective approaches. Between doing it one way or another, they chose better. Virgil Watkins, design director of Arc Raiders, commented on the coincidence of the tests, highlighting that it turned out to be an excellent opportunity for a comparative analysis. “It was a great test […]

The extraction shooter genre continues to show untapped potential, reflected in the imminent release of two significant titles: Marathon from Bungie and Arc Raiders from Embark. Both games have conducted playtests simultaneously, providing developers the opportunity to compare their decisions and player reactions to their respective approaches.

Between doing it one way or another, they chose better

Virgil Watkins, design director of Arc Raiders, commented on the coincidence of the tests, highlighting that it turned out to be an excellent opportunity for a comparative analysis. “It was a great A/B test for us, as they made decisions that we did not, and vice versa,” explained Watkins, suggesting that the opportunity to observe how players responded to different design decisions was enriching.

Despite this promise, not all analysts are convinced. Tyler Wilde, editor-in-chief of PC Gamer, has expressed his skepticism about whether the market can sustain two extraction shooters, a genre that, by its nature, is not particularly casual. “Both studios need their extraction shooters to be a success,” Wilde stated, adding that there might be insufficient demand for both games.

In addition, the design director of Arc Raiders praised the artistic style of Marathon, expressing curiosity about its future evolution. “I found the artistic style very evocative… I hope to see more of that in the future,” he commented, highlighting the importance of aesthetic value in video game development. Although both titles have notable differences, comparisons are inevitable in a competitive market that seeks to capture attention in a genre that still has much to offer.

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