ARC Raiders Release Date Could Be Sooner Rather Than Later

Summary

ARC Raiders download file on Xbox has fans thinking a release date is coming soon.
No concrete release date has been announced at the time of this writing.
Speculation also points to the download file being for another pre-release test for the game instead.

A download file for ARC Raiders has appeared on Xbox, potentially hinting that its release is not far off. Embark Studio's upcoming extraction shooter has faced several delays since its initial reveal, and while it still doesn't have a firm release date, it's seeming increasingly likely that it will arrive sooner rather than later. Now, fans think a preload file for ARC Raiders will hit consoles soon.

Embark first revealed ARC Raiders in 2021, at the time aiming for a 2022 release date and saying it would be a free-to-play title. Since then, the studio has delayed the game multiple times and moved away from the free-to-play model in favor of a $40 price tag. The timeline is still up in the air to an extent, but recent signs suggest the wait may finally be coming to an end.

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By Derek Nichols

Twitter user RoosterScrappy shared a screenshot on May 30, revealing that ARC Raiders released a small download file Xbox users can now install. The 325 MB file is too small to be the actual game, but RoosterScrappy and other users believe it's just a placeholder for an incoming pre-download, suggesting the release day could come soon. Preload placeholders are relatively common, and ARC Raiders confirmed a 2025 release window when it announced its shift away from free-to-play, so there could be something to these rumors. While it's impossible to say anything for sure from the mere presence of a download, all signs are pointing toward an announcement soon.

ARC Raiders Gets Apparent Placeholder Download on Xbox

There are other reasons to believe the game will release soon, too. Embark ran a second public tech test for ARC Raiders from April 30 to May 4 and hasn't announced plans for any further tests beyond saying the studio will be back. While that could mean another round of tests is in the works, it could also suggest that the game is near completion. The upcoming Summer Game Fest and Xbox Games Showcase in early June may provide Embark with a platform to make a major announcement, too, although it's unclear if the studio has any such plans.

Regardless of when the game finally drops, it's set to be a solid release. After the public playtests, ARC Raiders started to outpace Bungie's Marathon in popularity among fans as they grew frustrated with the latter and excited over the former. Even if it's no longer free, it looks like it has the makings of a smash hit based on these early signs. Gamers will have to wait for its release, which may not be much of a wait anymore, to know for sure.

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