Will ARC Raiders Be Free Soon? What You Should Know

ByRonny Alexander Hours

Will ARC Raiders Be Free Soon What You Should Know

Since its launch, many players have asked the question: Will ARC Raiders become free-to-play (F2P)? Here’s a clear breakdown of what’s known now – and whether you should expect the game to go free anytime soon.

What we know so far?

  • At release, ARC Raiders launched as a paid premium title. Players must purchase the base game (price around $40) for access to an Arc Raiders account.
  • The developers at Embark Studios confirmed the initial decision not to go free-to-play.
  • Before release, ARC Raiders was reportedly going to be free-to-play, but that plan was changed. 

So right now: No, ARC Raiders is not free-to-play, and there is no official roadmap announcing a change.

Why it probably won’t go free soon?

There are some reasons why the developers opted for a paid model over free-to-play, and those reasons make a quick transition to F2P unlikely:

  • Better player experience: According to the devs, switching from F2P to a premium pay‑once model allowed them to avoid typical F2P drawbacks – like forced grind, pay-to-win mechanics, or grindy timers.
  • Quality control: With upfront payment, the development team can focus on the game’s balance, gameplay mechanics, and content updates instead of monetization pressure.
  • Community trust: Many fans prefer paying once and getting a quality, stable game rather than risking constant monetization or unfair advantages often associated with free-to-play shooters.

Because of those reasons, the developers openly stated they chose the premium model intentionally. 

Could ARC Raiders go free in the future?

It’s not impossible, but right now, there are no strong signs that it will happen soon. Here’s what could make it possible, and what’s blocking it:

What could push a future F2P change?

  • If the player base dips significantly (many paid multiplayer games that struggle with population switch to F2P).
  • If community feedback calls for broader accessibility.
  • If the studio sees a viable business model via cosmetics or seasonal passes to support the game long-term.

What works against it?

  • The developers have already stated they prefer a premium model to avoid “grind‑to‑win / pay‑to‑win” issues.
  • A pay‑once barrier helps maintain a more dedicated, serious player base, which is important for a PvPvE extraction shooter where balance and commitment matter.
  • Transitioning to F2P usually means reworking systems, which is costly and risky after launch.

What this means if you’re thinking about buying?

If you were waiting for the game to go free to try it out, you might have to wait for a long time (maybe never). Right now, buying the game is the only guaranteed way to play.

If the idea of a free-to-play model appealed to you (to avoid upfront cost or to have bigger community), know that the current decision favors a premium model. That said, the game’s long-term success may still influence future business model changes, but you shouldn’t assume it will happen.

Final Take

ARC Raiders will likely remain a paid game, at least in the near future. The developers intentionally chose this model to preserve game quality, fairness, and long-term balance.

Unless something major changes, like a dramatic shift in player count or monetization strategy, there’s no realistic sign the game will go free soon.

If you want to try ARC Raiders, the safest bet is to buy the game now and enjoy it while the community is active.

Ronny Alexander is the founder and lead writer of Co-op Board Games, a site he launched in 2016 to celebrate the fun, challenge, and creativity of cooperative tabletop gaming. A lifelong board gamer, Ronny has spent over 15 years playing co-op games with a core group of friends—along with several other gaming groups—giving him a broad, real-world perspective on what works (and what doesn’t) at the table.