Patrick Söderlund, the head of Embark Studios, has revealed that the development team drew significant inspiration from the success of Helldivers 2 when deciding to set a $40 price point for Arc Raiders.
Originally envisioned as a free-to-play experience—mirroring the model used for the studio’s previous hit, The Finals—Arc Raiders underwent a strategic pivot during production to become a premium, paid title. While transitioning from a free model to a paid one can often be controversial, the shift appears justified by the current market landscape. For example, Helldivers 2 has demonstrated the power of mid-range pricing, dominating Steam’s charts since its release and reaching an estimated 12 million copies sold.
Speaking in an interview with GamesBeat (as reported by PC Gamer), Söderlund explained the rationale: “This was a major point of discussion as the game evolved from a free-to-play structure to a more traditional business model. We looked closely at games like Helldivers and concluded that this was the ideal space for us to occupy.” He admitted that while the merits of the decision are debatable, the team felt it was the right path forward.
Söderlund emphasized that the studio wanted the game to remain accessible, stating, “I appreciate that the game is relatively affordable, allowing more players to jump in and experience it.” The lack of a traditional single-player campaign also factored into the pricing strategy. “We didn’t want the cost to be a barrier for anyone. We would much rather players feel that the content is genuinely worth the $40 investment.”
“Our goal is to ensure players feel they are receiving true value for their money,” Söderlund added. Given the growing anticipation surrounding Arc Raiders, the decision to align with the successful premium cooperative shooter model seems to be paying off.
In other news, Embark is currently evaluating balance in the game’s PvP encounters, with plans to nerf the significantly overpowered Trigger Grenades in an upcoming update.
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Source: gamesradar.com
