Arc Raiders developer Embark Studios has promised changes to its Expedition system after revealing that more than one million players chose to reset their accounts during the game’s first optional wipe. The studio said the high participation showed strong interest, but also exposed problems with how rewards were structured.
Expeditions allow players to voluntarily wipe their progress in exchange for permanent and temporary rewards. Unlike forced resets in similar extraction shooters, players must complete objectives by donating loot and increasing their stash value to qualify for bonuses.
Design director Virgil Watkins told PCGamesN that the system caused confusion, particularly around the final reward stage. To earn the maximum bonus skill points, players needed to reach five million credits in stash value, a requirement many did not fully understand early on.
According to Watkins, only around 35 to 40 percent of players who completed the Expedition earned the top reward. He said the target was meant to be aspirational, but acknowledged that the late communication created frustration for some players.
Embark also said the focus on accumulating money made late‑reset gameplay less engaging. Watkins noted that the system may have discouraged players from using their best gear toward the end of the cycle, which runs against the core appeal of a reset.
As a result, the studio confirmed it is reviewing the Expedition design and looking at ways to add more variety and better incentives. Embark is also analyzing how slower‑progressing players interacted with the system to prevent them from feeling left behind.
While the current Expedition remains unchanged, Embark said future resets could evolve. The next reset window is expected to open in just over six weeks, giving the team time to adjust rewards and requirements.
