Earlier this year, ARC Raiders and Marathon unexpectedly held simultaneous beta tests, a serendipitous overlap that Embark Studios’ technical lead later described as a valuable learning opportunity for the team and their project.
The developer recently concluded its ‘Server Stress Test’ weekend, offering free access across PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S from October 17-19. Initial reports suggest strong engagement, with Steam concurrent users reaching 189,668 at peak. Insights from this trial could influence final adjustments before the game’s official release.
Interestingly, some key takeaways emerged not from ARC Raiders’ own feedback but through indirect observations. In a discussion with PC Gamer, technical director Virgil Watkins noted that Marathon’s concurrent testing phase inadvertently created a natural experiment, allowing cross-analysis of design approaches between the two titles.
“The timing was purely accidental—nobody on our team anticipated the overlap,” Watkins explained. “It functioned as an organic comparative study. Each project made distinct creative choices, enabling us to evaluate player responses to different mechanics and systems.“
“Analyzing community reactions to both experiences provided unexpected insights into what resonated—or didn’t—in varying contexts.”
Though Watkins refrained from citing specific parallels, the mutual interest between development teams is understandable given their shared focus on extraction-based shooters. The genre overlap likely prompted quiet observation of competitor strategies.
While the stress test demonstrated strong player interest, ARC Raiders faces a unique challenge at launch. Unlike Embark’s free-to-play hit The Finals, this title requires upfront purchase—a model that may affect its initial adoption rate compared to no-cost alternatives.
Meanwhile, Bungie prepares for Marathon’s upcoming NDA-protected closed beta, though details about its long-term roadmap remain scarce compared to ARC Raiders’ more defined release plans.
Stay updated by following Wccftech via Google or setting us as a preferred source for tech news and analysis.