Arc Raiders Confirmed as Premium Title, Abandons Free-to-Play Model

Embark Studios has officially confirmed its upcoming game, Arc Raiders, will be a premium title. This marks a significant departure from the developer’s previous hit, the free-to-play shooter The Finals. The game is scheduled for a full release on October 30, 2025.

This decision ends years of speculation from fans who assumed the game would follow a similar free-to-play model. According to official communications, the developers believe a premium model better serves their vision for the cooperative extraction shooter.

Arc Raiders Price and Regional Cost Breakdown

The standard edition of Arc Raiders is priced at $39.99 in the United States. A Deluxe Edition is also available for $59.99. Pre-orders are now live across all platforms.

Embark Studios has implemented a regional pricing strategy for the game. This makes the title significantly more affordable in many countries compared to the standard US price point. For instance, players in India can purchase the game for approximately $27.79, a discount of over 30%.

This regional pricing aims to make the game accessible to a global audience. It reflects a growing trend among publishers to adjust costs based on local market conditions.

Why Embark Chose a Premium Model for Arc Raiders

The shift from free-to-play to premium was a deliberate creative choice. Embark Studios initially prototyped Arc Raiders as a free-to-play title. After further development, the team decided a premium model was a better fit.

This approach allows the developers to focus on game balance and content without the pressures of designing for a live-service economy. It provides a more contained experience from the outset. The decision was reported by several industry outlets following the official announcement.

Despite the upfront cost, the game will still feature a seasonal battle pass and cosmetic microtransactions. However, the developers have confirmed that all gameplay-affecting content will be accessible without additional purchase. This structure aims to avoid pay-to-win scenarios.

Arc Raiders represents a bold bet on a premium pricing strategy in a crowded market. Its success could influence how other mid-tier live-service games are monetized in the future.

Thought you’d like to know

Is Arc Raiders free-to-play?

No, Arc Raiders is not free-to-play. It requires an upfront purchase to play on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S upon its full release.

How much does Arc Raiders cost?

The standard edition costs $39.99 in the United States. Regional pricing is available, making it cheaper in many other countries around the world.

Will Arc Raiders be on Xbox Game Pass?

There has been no announcement regarding Arc Raiders coming to subscription services like Xbox Game Pass or PlayStation Plus at launch.

Does the paid game have a battle pass?

Yes, Arc Raiders will include a seasonal battle pass and cosmetic microtransactions even though it is a premium, paid title.

Why isn’t Arc Raiders free like The Finals?

The developers at Embark Studios decided a premium model better suited their vision for the game’s design and long-term content plan.