Helldivers 2 Influenced ARC Raiders Decision to Set a Lower Price Point
ARC Raiders has quickly gained attention not only for its intense sci fi PvPvE gameplay, but also for its relatively accessible price point. Priced at USD 39.99, the extraction shooter from Embark Studios stands out in an era where premium next generation games are often sold at significantly higher prices.
According to Embark Studios executive Patrick Söderlund, the decision to price ARC Raiders at this level was carefully considered. In a recent interview with games industry journalist Dean Takahashi on his podcast, Söderlund explained that the goal was to offer players a price that felt fair and justified by the experience provided.
Söderlund stated that the studio evaluated several pricing models during development, including the possibility of launching ARC Raiders as a free to play title. However, after weighing long term expectations for content delivery and service management, the team concluded that a premium price of USD 39.99 best matched the scope and quality of the game.
One of the key reference points during this process was Helldivers 2. Söderlund noted that Helldivers 2 demonstrated how a high quality, cooperative focused game could succeed with a mid-range price while still delivering ongoing content updates. The success of Helldivers 2 helped reinforce the idea that players are more willing to try and commit to a game when the initial cost feels reasonable.
While ARC Raiders and Helldivers 2 are not identical in design, both share several similarities. Each follows a premium live service inspired model, where players pay an upfront cost and then receive additional content updates without mandatory extra charges. Both games also place strong emphasis on PvE cooperation, encouraging teamwork rather than purely competitive play.
Interestingly, both titles also share the same starting price, further highlighting the influence Helldivers 2 had on ARC Raiders pricing strategy. Embark Studios believes this balance creates a win win situation where players feel confident in their purchase and developers can sustainably support the game over time.
In our opinion, ARC Raiders choosing accessibility over inflated pricing reflects a growing shift in how successful live service games are positioned. Helldivers 2 has clearly shown that strong gameplay, fair pricing, and consistent support can build long term communities without relying on premium entry costs. If more developers follow this approach, players across the SEA region and beyond stand to benefit the most.
About ARC Raiders
ARC Raiders is available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. The game is a PvPvE extraction shooter where players team up to fight against ARC, a hostile robotic army from outer space. Players must collect valuable resources, survive encounters with enemies and rival players, and successfully extract from dangerous zones. The game features diverse environments such as abandoned industrial areas and forests, each offering unique tactical opportunities.
