With Marathon having received an indefinite delay back in June, that just leaves one game to test whether extraction shooters can make it mainstream: Arc Raiders. While this one has been cooking for a while now, it actually has a release date, October 30th. There’s been a few tests along the way, and it turns out the devs have one last one in them!
The good thing about this test – they’re calling it a Server Slam – is that it’s completely open to everyone. You don’t need any kind of access code, and despite this announcement coming with the shooter’s pre-order trailer, you do not in fact have to pre-order it either. This test is taking place between October 17th and 19th, across PC and console, and essentially it’s just to get as many people playing as possible to ensure there are no server hiccups when the game actually launches.
Watch on YouTube
Apparently this test will take place on the Dam Battlegrounds map for those in the know, and you’ll be able to get a taste of the game’s progression, crafting, and quest systems. It’s worth noting that none of this progress will carry over to the full game, so don’t get too deep into it. You’ll get a backpack cosmetic as a little treat in the full game for your troubles at least.
I’ve said it before on this site and I’ll say it again, I’m not particularly big on shooters, but I’m always curious about a burgeoning genre or subgenre. Sure extraction shooters aren’t exactly new, but they are quite hard to recommend given how easy it can be to lose progress. Not sure if I’ll be jumping in at launch, though I’ll be keeping my eye on it to see how things go at least.
Arc Raiders is out October 30th.
