Embark confirms aggro based lobbies in Arc Raiders

Extraction shooters have struggled with toxic PvP behavior, but Embark Studios is taking a new approach with Arc Raiders.

Embark recently confirmed what Arc Raiders players have been speculating about for weeks: the game now uses aggro-based matchmaking to pair players with similar playstyles.

I’ve been following the excellent Arc Raiders since its launch and Embark Studios keep making it better.

During the holiday season we started to see rumors of aggro based lobbies. Meaning that if you prefer playing PvP, and hunt down other players, you will be put in a lobby with other players with the same preference.

The same goes for PvE. If you prefer saluting strangers, emote dancing and helping people you don’t know, you will be grouped together with other players with the same preference.

During a candid interview with Embark Studios CEO Patrick Söderlund, Owen Mahoney and Dean Takahashi (of GamesBeat) this fact was confirmed. Read the full GamesBeat article and see the youtube interview here.

Patrick Söderlund says:

Patrick Soderlund, Embark Studios CEO Patrick Soderlund, Embark Studios CEO / Credit Patrick Söderlund, LinkedIn

“And since a week or so we introduced a system where we also matchmake based on how prone you are to PvP or PvE.

If your preference is to PvE, and you have less conflict with other players you’ll get matched with them more. This is obviously not an exact science”

This is huge, because it means we players will impact how the game plays for us. You can impact and tailor the game experience based on how you play.

What triggers aggro based matchmaking?

Now, “the algorithm” containing the variables that flag you as a pacifist or aggro based player is unknown, but we can speculate on what triggers your behaviour as aggressive or passive.

Things like shooting first, shooting people who salute you, actively seeking out other players for combat is likely to trigger you as an aggro based player.

While things like shouting “Hey Raider” and “Don’t shoot”, and approaching other players while playing the flute like the flamboyant bard you are, will likely trigger you as a passive player.

In my testing, 3-4 solo matches of passive and friendly playstyle was enough to enter pretty friendly lobbies. Lobbies where you can just walk around talking to people.

If you are in a group, where one player is aggressive and the others are passive the system will probably struggle to adapt resulting in shots being fired.

There are many reasons why I love Arc Raiders, but the interaction with other players are one of them.

Keep iterating and making this game better Embark, I’ll be here watching the game evolve.