Play online shooter ARC Raiders free next month in final test weekend before release

Embark Studios will launch an ARC Raiders Server Slam ahead of the online shooter’s release, so players can get a taste of what to expect.

While a couple of public network tests have already run, the studio is providing one last weekend from 17th – 19th October for players across the globe to check out the game on all platforms: PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC (Steam, Epic).

No codes or pre-registration will be required for entry, plus participants will receive an exclusive backpack cosmetic as thanks to unlock with a full game purchase, although progress won’t carry over.

ARC Raiders is a PvPvE sandbox shooter from the studio behind The Finals, which merges extraction and survival gameplay.

The full game will be released on 30th October.

“We’re excited to welcome Raiders to the Server Slam – this is where we’ll really put ARC Raiders through its paces ahead of full launch,” said executive producer Aleksander Grøndal. “Our goal is simple: make sure that on October 30, when the servers go live, every player experiences the game exactly as we’ve intended – polished, balanced, and ready for action. Thanks for joining us – let’s prepare to go topside.”

The game’s most recent test was at the end of April this year, but it’s been a long time coming – ARC Raiders was first revealed at The Game Awards in 2021 and has since received a genre change.

It also won’t be free-to-play when it releases. It’s available to pre-order now.