As an extraction shooter, one would perhaps have expected ARC Raiders to be a bit more niche than it ended up being. While the popularity of the genre has increased with games such as The escape from Tarkov on the surface, the chance of it achieving mainstream popularity didn't look quite as possible as it has lately with the release of ARC Raiders. This is largely because Embark Studios' take on the extraction shooter formula has made it more accessible than previous giants of the genre, which has inadvertently led to many player counts and praise coming from a much larger audience.
Firstly, ARC Raiders is not as punishing as extraction shooters tend to be, as it rewards players for playing the game rather than being perfect at it. Even more, though ARC Raiders is making its PvP experience more welcoming to a wider range of players, not only by making its PvE elements challenging enough to keep competitive veterans on their toes, but also by giving players tools that can help prevent a fight with another player before it even starts.
Not everyone wants to jump into voice chat with strangers in a game, for one reason or another, whether they're more introverted, afraid of confrontation, or simply can't because they don't play in an environment that allows them. It's there ARC Raiders' character sentiment comes in, some of which are useful for maintaining friendly relations with other players on the surface. Feelings like “don't shoot!” and “Collect?” helping players more easily handle the PvP tension ARC Raidersto the point that what might have been conflicts turn into symbiotic partnerships. Even with such useful communication options, but players who prefer to enter without microphones ARC Raiders may not even realize what they are missing.
Why you shouldn't use Mic-less in ARC Raiders
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Proximity chat makes the experience more immersive
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Using a microphone allows players to communicate more clearly than emotions alone can
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ARC Raider's proximity chat can lead to unforgettable moments
ARC Raider's emotes are good, but voice chat is better
ARC Raiders' Proximity chat is actually a central part of the whole experience. It's not the first game to implement such a feature, but it's nonetheless an integral element that's more than worth taking advantage of. First, proximity chat ARC Raiders adds a layer of immersion to the experience that players can't get by just using emotes. With the active, players are more likely to feel like they are actually in the game, as one of the raiders fighting for their own survival and Speranza's prosperity. But that's far from the only advantage of using a microphone in ARC Raiders.
Perhaps more importantly, when using the “Don't shoot!” and “Collect?” emotes in ARC Raiders can both prevent confrontation and inspire cooperation, using a microphone gives players a chance to communicate more clearly with each other, as emotions are inherently limited. This takes potential partnerships to a whole other level, as players can help each other with certain missions, work together to defeat a massive machine that ARC Raiders' new Matriarch, or simply offer a friendlier greeting than “Hello, Raider.”
Of course, even when proximity chat is active, players are not guaranteed a confrontation-free trip Topside, as some of the more competitive players in ARC Raiders will still take any opportunity they can to get the booty on another Raider's body. Even some who might initially say “Friendly” into their microphone will then turn their backs on naive players who take them at their word. That said, since teamwork is even more possible when communicating via a microphone, there's less chance that things will take a turn for the worse.
There is also the entertainment value that comes with using proximity chat in Embark's extraction game. Lately, cut off ARC Raiders have gone viral, but what makes them so popular isn't just any player defeating a machine or obtaining a rare find. Rather, these clips achieve virality by being funny, thanks to the interaction between players using microphones. Many players have brought in proximity chat ARC Raiders to the next level by role-playing as raiders with families they must feed or who simply do it for Speranza's honor and what's left of humanity.
Enters without microphones ARC Raiders doesn't spoil the experience, but it can cause players to miss an entire side of the extraction game that is worth experiencing. The emotes are helpful and the core loop still works well, but the moments that happen through proximity chat are what give the game its personality. The quick cries for help, the tense negotiations, and the ridiculous RPG bits all add something that players don't always expect from an extraction shooter. ARC Raiders feels fuller and more alive when players use their voices to communicate with each other, and anyone who has relied solely on emotion may be surprised by how much they enjoy the game when they finally turn on their microphone.
- Released
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30 October 2025
- ESRB
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Teen/violence, blood
