ARC Raiders’ PvE wait continues as The Finals adds bot matches

PvE has become a major pressure point for players who want safer progression and different challenge types in live-service shooters. Embark Studios has answered that demand—but not in the way ARC Raiders fans were campaigning for, since the new PvE-style experience is landing in The Finals instead.

What players asked for—and where it’s actually arriving

Embark Studios has added a highly requested PvE mode, but it’s being released for its other live game, The Finals. That decision is likely to frustrate ARC Raiders players who have been lobbying for a dedicated PvE-type option of their own. Embark is currently maintaining two live service-style titles, and both continue to receive updates that keep their communities engaged in different ways.

ARC Raiders itself made a big splash after launch last October, with player numbers that stood out for the extraction genre. The game’s early success was fueled by frequent monthly updates, new content, and limited-time events—an approach that helped it appeal to both hardcore and more casual players. While its popularity has cooled since then, Embark is still planning major changes for ARC Raiders going forward, with some players hoping a PvE mode would eventually join the mix.

The Finals Season 11: PvE against bots in Galaxy Masters

The new PvE-style content is tied to Season 11 of The Finals, which Embark is framing around a sci-fi theme under the Galaxy Masters branding. Alongside the season’s overall presentation, players are getting a new map—Galaxy Estates—plus a fully revamped tutorial and new onboarding contracts. Cosmetics are also a focus via the battle pass.

Beyond the standard season additions, Embark is reworking gameplay systems, including the melee and ping mechanics, as part of this update. However, the feature most relevant to PvE expectations is the addition of Bot Matches as playable modes.

In practice, players can choose Cashout (Bots) from the main menu and play solo or trio, or use matchmaking to team up with others. Embark also emphasizes that the bot opponents are intended to behave like competent adversaries: they can navigate maps, cause destruction, and use loadouts effectively. The developer further indicates that this AI behavior will keep improving over time, and that additional bots and modes may expand to more maps and playlists later.

Why ARC Raiders players still have a reason to look over

Even with the PvE announcement landing in The Finals, Embark is pairing Season 11 with a crossover event that connects both communities. ARC Raiders players can access three quests inside The Finals: earning cash through play, reviving teammates, and securing eliminations or assists. Completing those quests unlocks an Azimuth Outfit and an Archeologist Backpack for ARC Raiders, provided the player’s Embark ID is linked to both games.

This crossover doesn’t replace the PvE mode ARC Raiders fans were hoping for, but it does give them a concrete incentive to sample what Season 11 is offering—especially the bot-based matchmaking options.

Early signal: Season 11 momentum appears strong

The update’s impact looks positive for The Finals. After launching as a free-to-play title on December 8, 2023, the game has continued to hold attention, and Season 11 reportedly coincided with another spike in player count. While console numbers weren’t provided, Steam activity suggests a 10-month high, with more than 28,000 active players recorded on July 3.

For ARC Raiders, the takeaway is clear: Embark is addressing the PvE desire, but for now the best answer is in The Finals rather than in ARC Raiders. The next question for the community is whether Embark’s broader plans for ARC Raiders will eventually include the PvE format many players have been waiting for.

Key points

• Embark added a PvE-style experience, but it’s arriving in The Finals, not ARC Raiders.
• The Finals Season 11 (Galaxy Masters) includes Bot Matches with Cashout (Bots) for solo, trio, and matchmaking.
• Bots are designed to use loadouts and navigate maps effectively, with AI improvements planned over time.
• A crossover event lets ARC Raiders players earn cosmetics by completing The Finals quests with a linked Embark ID.

Confirmed update comparison

Expert View

This move suggests Embark is using The Finals as the testing ground for bot-driven PvE experiences—something that can broaden retention without forcing a full standalone PvE development track. For the competitive scene, bot modes may also become a pressure valve for players who want practice, while still keeping live matches as the main esports-facing product. For ARC Raiders, the community signal is mixed: the studio acknowledges the underlying demand, but it’s currently prioritizing where that demand can be monetized and scaled fastest—through another franchise’s season cycle and cross-game incentives.