ARC Raiders is a third-person extraction shooter developed by Embark Studios, the creators behind the popular FPS shooter The Finals. It's one of the highly anticipated games that players can now get their hands on during this ARC Raiders Server Slam playtest that's currently running (at the time of this writing). It'll allow you to experience the complete gameplay loop of the game, from deploying into the map, scavenging loot, battling enemies, and upgrading your workstation. Here's everything you need to know about ARC Raiders and Server Slam beta playtest.
Arc Raiders Server Slam is Blowing Up on Steam
ARC Raiders' Server Slam open beta is off to a tremendous start on Steam, with tons of players turning out to give the game a whirl.
How to Play the ARC Raiders Server Slam Playtest (PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S)
The ARC Raiders Server Slam playtest is running from Oct 17 to 19, and will be available on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S. Here's how players can download and play the open beta playtest on their respective platforms.
How to Play Arc Raiders Server Slam Playtest on PC (Steam & Epic Games)
To play the ARC Raiders Server Slam playtest on PC, you have the option to get it via Steam or the Epic Games Store. Here's what you need to do to download the open beta and start playing.
Follow the instructions below for the Steam Client.
- Launch the Steam application on PC.
- Head to the Store and search for "ARC Raiders" and open up the game's page.
- Open up the game's Steam page and click on "Request Access" under the Playtest section.
- After a while, you'll be granted access to the ARC Raiders Server Slam and start downloading it.
Now, follow the instructions for Epic Games Store.
- Launch the Epic Games Store client on PC.
- In the search bar, type "ARC Raiders - Server Slam" and hit go.
- Click on the first result that pops up, and then choose the "Get" option.
- After the checkout process is completed, the ARC Raiders playtest will be added to your library.
How to Play Arc Raiders Server Slam Playtest on PlayStation 5 & Xbox Series X|S
To play ARC Raiders Server Slam on Consoles, you'll need to visit the dedicated playtest game page on both Xbox and PlayStation 5. Here's what you need to do.
- Open up the PSN Store or Xbox Store on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S, respectively.
- Type "ARC Raiders - Server Slam" in the search bar and hit go.
- Choose the first result that pops up, and click on the "Add to Library" button for PlayStation, and the "Get" button for Xbox.
- Once the open beta gets added to your library, you can start downloading it.
ARC Raiders — Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Which Platforms Have ARC Raiders Server Slam Playtest On?
ARC Raiders Server Slam playtest is available on current hardware, i.e., PC, Xbox Series X|S, and PlayStation 5. Unfortunately, the game will not release on last-gen consoles like the Xbox One or PlayStation 4.
Does ARC Raiders Server Slam Have Controller Support on PC?
ARC Raiders has complete controller support on PC. From navigating menus to playing the game, everything can be done with both a Controller and Keyboard & Mouse.
Does Arc Raiders Support Crossplay & Cross-Progression?
Yes, ARC Raiders supports both Crossplay and Cross-Progression in the Server Slam playtest and the final release of the game.
Can You Play ARC Raiders Solo?
Yes, players have an option to turn off "Squad Fill" before matchmaking for a game to play ARC Raiders completely solo. If you're wondering, yes, it can be just as fun solo as it is with a team.
How Many ARC Raider Maps are Available in Server Slam Playtest?
During the ARC Raiders Server Slam playtest, there's only one map available called "Dam Battlegrounds." Players can also explore the practice range area to learn the ropes.
How Many Players Deploy Per Map in ARC Raiders?
Each map can consist of 15–20 players, including you or your team. You can either deploy solo or in a team of duos or trios into a match.
Is ARC Raiders PvP or PvE?
ARC Raiders is a PvPvE extraction shooter that will pit players against AI-controlled robots and human players in matches.
Does ARC Raiders Have Character Customization?
Yes, when players start the game, they will be able to eventually customize the appearance of their character.
Will ARC Raiders Server Slam Progress Carry Over to Final Release?
No, the progress you'll make in the ARC Raiders Server Slam playtest won't carry over to the final release. Here's an official statement by the developers.
Are There Any Rewards for Participating in the ARC Raiders Server Slam Playtest?
Players who participate in the ARC Raiders Server Slam playtest will receive an exclusive Backpack cosmetic as a reward.
Which Game Engine is ARC Raiders Built/Developed On?
ARC Raiders is built on Unreal Engine 5 (UE5). However, the developers have optimized the game quite well, so you won't run into any issues playing the game on either PC or consoles.
Are There Any Twitch Drops Live for the ARC Raiders Server Slam Playtest?
There aren't any Twitch Drops live at the time of writing for the ARC Raiders Server Slam playtest. However, we'll keep you updated on that front.
How Long Will the ARC Raiders Server Slam Playtest Be Available For?
The ARC Raiders Server Slam playtest will begin on October 17 (Friday) and will conclude on October 19 (Sunday), 2025. So, you'll be able to enjoy the game over the weekend.
When Will ARC Raiders Officially Release?
ARC Raiders will officially release on October 30th, 2025, on PC, Xbox One X|S, and PlayStation 5.
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 87 /100 Critics Rec: 92%
- Released
- October 30, 2025
- ESRB
- Teen / Violence, Blood
- Developer(s)
- Embark Studios
- Publisher(s)
- Embark Studios







- Multiplayer
- Online Multiplayer, Online Co-Op
- Cross-Platform Play
- Yes - all platforms
- Cross Save
- Yes - via Embark ID
- Number of Players
- Single-player
- Steam Deck Compatibility
- Unknown
- PC Release Date
- October 30, 2025
- Xbox Series X|S Release Date
- October 30, 2025
- PS5 Release Date
- October 30, 2025
- Genre(s)
- Extraction, Shooter, Third-Person Shooter, Survival
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, PC