The gaming world is buzzing about Arc Raiders, the new extraction shooter from Embark Studios. Players everywhere are asking one big question: Do you need to pay to play this highly anticipated game? With so many games going free-to-play these days, it’s natural to wonder about Arc Raiders price. If you’re confused about whether this game follows the free-to-play model of its predecessor, The Finals, you’re not alone. Let’s clear up the confusion right away: Arc Raiders is NOT free-to-play. It’s a premium title that requires an upfront purchase. In this complete guide, we’ll break down everything you need to know about Arc Raiders’ pricing structure, regional variations, battle pass system, and help you decide if it’s worth your hard-earned money.
Key Takeaways
- Arc Raiders is a premium title, not free-to-play
- Standard edition costs $39.99, deluxe edition costs $59.99 in the US
- Regional pricing makes the game significantly cheaper in many countries
- The game includes microtransactions and a battle pass system
- Battle passes don’t expire and can be completed at any time
- Launches November 30, 2025 on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S
What is Arc Raiders?
Arc Raiders is an upcoming multiplayer extraction shooter developed by Embark Studios, the same team behind the popular free-to-play game The Finals. In this game, you’ll enter a dangerous future Earth where mysterious mechanical threats known as ARC have taken over. As a Raider, your job is to explore this ruined world, gather valuable resources, and extract safely before the ARC machines get you.
The game combines elements of player versus environment (PvE) and player versus player (PvP) combat. You’ll need to work with your team to complete objectives while fighting off both AI-controlled ARC machines and other human players who might want to steal your loot. The extraction shooter genre means you risk losing everything if you die before making it to an extraction point.
Is Arc Raiders Free to Play?
No, Arc Raiders is not a free-to-play game. Unlike Embark Studios’ previous title The Finals, which was free-to-play, Arc Raiders requires you to purchase the game upfront. This decision came as a surprise to many players who expected the same business model.
The developers at Embark Studios originally considered making Arc Raiders free-to-play but later decided that a premium model would better serve the game they wanted to create. They believe this approach allows for better game balance and avoids some of the problems that come with free-to-play monetization.
If you want to try Arc Raiders for free, your only chance was during the Server Slam playtest events leading up to launch. Now that the game is released, you’ll need to buy it to play.
How Much Does Arc Raiders Cost?
Arc Raiders offers two editions for purchase, each with different price points and content:
Standard Edition – $39.99
- Base game access
- Pre-order bonus cosmetic items (if purchased before launch)
Deluxe Edition – $59.99
- Base game access
- Exclusive Astro Bundle with additional cosmetic items
- 2,400 Raider Tokens (premium currency)
- Special pre-order bonus cosmetics (if purchased before launch)
The $39.99 price point for the standard edition positions Arc Raiders as a mid-range premium game, more expensive than indie titles but less than the typical $69.99 AAA game price. This pricing strategy makes the game accessible to a wider audience while still providing revenue for ongoing development and support.
Understanding Arc Raiders Regional Pricing?
One of the most interesting aspects of Arc Raiders’ pricing is its regional pricing model. Embark Studios has implemented different prices for various countries to make the game more affordable in regions with lower average incomes. Here’s a breakdown of how regional pricing affects the cost:
| Country/Region | Local Price | USD Equivalent | Price Difference |
| United States | $39.99 | $39.99 | , |
| India | ₹2,467 | $27.79 | -30.48% |
| Indonesia | Rp 463,182 | $27.93 | -30.15% |
| China | ¥199.64 | $28.04 | -29.88% |
| Ukraine | ₴11,616 | $28.07 | -29.79% |
| Vietnam | ₫746,000 | $28.29 | -29.27% |
| Philippines | ₱1,838.90 | $31.65 | -20.86% |
| Thailand | ฿1,031.10 | $31.73 | -20.66% |
| Brazil | R$171.80 | $32.23 | -19.39% |
| Russia | ₽3,220 | $39.99 | 0% |
| Australia | A$60.78 | $40.06 | +0.19% |
| Mexico | Mex$759.00 | $41.36 | +3.45% |
As you can see, players in countries like India, Indonesia, and China get significant discounts of nearly 30% compared to the US price. This regional pricing approach helps make the game more accessible to players worldwide while maintaining fair revenue for the developers.
Why Did Embark Studios Choose a Premium Model?
Embark Studios made the decision to make Arc Raiders a premium title after careful consideration of what would best serve the game and its players. Here are the main reasons they chose this approach:
Game Balance: With a premium model, the developers don’t need to design the game around encouraging microtransactions. This means they can focus on creating balanced gameplay where skill and strategy matter more than spending money.
Avoiding Monetization Pressure: Free-to-play games often need to constantly push players to spend money through various psychological tricks and time-gates. A premium model removes this pressure, allowing players to enjoy the game without feeling nickel-and-dimed.
Developer Freedom: By not relying on microtransaction revenue, Embark Studios has more freedom to implement features and content based on what’s best for the game rather than what might generate the most profit.
Player Expectations: The extraction shooter genre has traditionally been associated with premium titles. Players in this genre often expect a complete, polished experience without the free-to-play trappings.
While The Finals was successful as a free-to-play game, Embark Studios recognized that Arc Raiders needed a different approach to deliver the experience they envisioned.
Does Arc Raiders Have Microtransactions?
Yes, Arc Raiders does include microtransactions, but they’re handled differently than in most free-to-play games. The microtransaction system focuses on cosmetic items and convenience rather than pay-to-win mechanics.
The game uses a premium currency called “Raider Tokens” that you can purchase with real money. These tokens can be used to buy:
- Cosmetic outfits for your character (700-1,000 Raider Tokens each)
- Backpack skins (400 Raider Tokens each)
- Battle passes (500 Raider Tokens each)
Importantly, there are no exclusive paywalled items that give paying players gameplay advantages. All gameplay-affecting items can be earned through normal play, and nothing is locked behind a paywall that would make free players (or in this case, players who don’t buy additional items) at a disadvantage.
The microtransaction system in Arc Raiders is designed for players who want to customize their appearance or support the developers further, not for those looking to buy power.
How Does the Arc Raiders Battle Pass Work?
Arc Raiders features a unique battle pass system that differs from many other games. Here’s how it works:
Three Battle Passes: The game offers three distinct battle pass tracks:
- Shuttered Storefront
- Back-Alley Market
- Secluded Courtyard
Cost: Each battle pass costs 500 Raider Tokens to unlock. You can earn Raider Tokens through gameplay or purchase them with real money.
No Expiration: Unlike many games where battle passes expire after a season, Arc Raiders’ battle passes don’t have a time limit. Once you purchase a battle pass, you can complete it at your own pace, even months later.
Progression System: Battle passes are divided into pages and tiers. You unlock new pages by spending “Cred,” which you earn from completing daily challenges. Each tier offers various rewards including:
- Cosmetic items (outfits, backpacks, weapon skins)
- Gameplay items (weapons, crafting materials)
- Raider Tokens (which can be used to purchase more battle passes or cosmetics)
No Exclusive Gameplay Items: While battle passes offer gameplay-affecting items, none of them are exclusive to the battle pass. Everything can be obtained through other means in the game, ensuring that buying battle passes doesn’t give players unfair advantages.
This battle pass system is designed to provide long-term value and goals for players without the pressure of time-limited seasons.
Is Arc Raiders Worth the Price?
Whether Arc Raiders is worth its $39.99 price tag depends on what you’re looking for in a game. Here’s a breakdown to help you decide:
Content Value: The game launches with multiple maps, a variety of weapons and equipment, and a robust progression system. For a premium title, it offers a substantial amount of content at launch.
Genre Comparison: In the extraction shooter genre, Arc Raiders is priced competitively. Games like Escape from Tarkov and Hunt: Showdown also require upfront purchases and have similar pricing.
Longevity: With the battle pass system and planned future content updates, Arc Raiders is designed to be a long-term experience. The developers have committed to supporting the game with new content post-launch.
Player Reception: Early playtest feedback has been generally positive, with players praising the game’s atmosphere, sound design, and tense gameplay moments.
For Fans of The Finals: If you enjoyed Embark Studios’ previous game, Arc Raiders offers a different but complementary experience. While not free-to-play, it delivers the same level of polish and innovative gameplay.
For Extraction Shooter Fans: If you’re new to the genre but curious about extraction shooters, Arc Raiders provides a more accessible entry point than some of the more hardcore titles in the genre.
Ultimately, if you enjoy cooperative gameplay, tense extraction moments, and are willing to pay upfront for a complete experience without microtransaction pressure, Arc Raiders is likely worth the price.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Arc Raiders coming to Xbox Game Pass or PlayStation Plus?
No, Arc Raiders is not coming to Xbox Game Pass or PlayStation Plus at launch. The developers have stated that the game will only be available through direct purchase on PC (Steam and Epic Games Store), PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S. While this could change in the future, there are no current plans to add the game to subscription services.
Can you earn Raider Tokens without paying real money?
Yes, you can earn Raider Tokens through normal gameplay without spending real money. The game rewards players with Raider Tokens as they level up and complete certain challenges. While buying Raider Tokens with real money is an option for those who want to accelerate their progress or purchase specific items, it’s not required to enjoy the full game experience.
Do battle passes in Arc Raiders expire?
No, battle passes in Arc Raiders do not expire. Once you purchase a battle pass, it remains yours forever, and you can complete it at your own pace. This is a significant difference from many other games that use seasonal battle passes with strict time limits. The no-expiration approach reduces pressure and allows players to enjoy the game on their own schedule.
Are there any exclusive items for paying players?
While there are cosmetic items available through the deluxe edition and microtransactions, there are no exclusive gameplay items for paying players. All weapons, equipment, and gameplay-affecting content can be earned through normal play. The only exclusive items are cosmetic, meaning paying players can look different but won’t have any gameplay advantages over those who only buy the base game.
Will Arc Raiders have future DLC or expansions?
Embark Studios has confirmed plans to support Arc Raiders with post-launch content, though they haven’t specified whether this will be free updates or paid DLC. Given the premium pricing model, it’s likely that major content updates will be free for all players, with the possibility of larger expansions or cosmetic packs being available for purchase separately.
Can I play Arc Raiders solo or is it multiplayer only?
Arc Raiders is primarily designed as a multiplayer experience, but it does support solo play. You can choose to enter matches alone, though this will be more challenging as you’ll face the same threats without teammates to back you up. The game is balanced around team play, but skilled solo players can still succeed by using stealth and careful planning.
Conclusion
Arc Raiders represents an interesting middle ground in today’s gaming market. It’s not free-to-play like many popular games, but it’s also not a full-priced AAA title. At $39.99, it offers a complete extraction shooter experience without the microtransaction pressure that often comes with free-to-play games.
The regional pricing model makes it more accessible to players worldwide, and the battle pass system is designed to provide long-term value without the stress of time limits. While the decision to go premium instead of free-to-play might disappoint some players, it ultimately allows Embark Studios to deliver a more balanced and focused experience.
If you’re a fan of extraction shooters or enjoyed Embark Studios’ previous work on The Finals, Arc Raiders is definitely worth considering. The game launches on November 30, 2025, for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S. Whether you choose to jump in at launch or wait for reviews and player feedback, you now have all the information you need to make an informed decision about this exciting new title.
Ready to join the fight against the ARC machines? Check out our other gaming articles for more insights into the latest titles, or explore our guide to the best cheap or free games if you’re looking for budget-friendly alternatives.
