Although Power Out is a relatively short quest, it sets the tone for several follow-up missions, including Flickering Threat. It also reinforces one of Arc Raiders' core design ideas: environmental storytelling. Rather than handing you objectives outright, the game encourages you to ARC Raiders Coins observe, listen, and piece together what happened.

By restoring power to the Electrical Substation, you're not just checking off a task-you're actively stabilizing the infrastructure of the Spaceport area and unlocking further progression.

Once the lights are back on, you're ready to move forward and face the next challenge Arc Raiders throws your way.

Embark Studios' sci-fi extraction shooter has already sold more than 12 million copies in just three months. Here's why so many players are jumping in – and how you can too.

Released last October, Arc Raiders has rapidly become one of the biggest success stories in modern multiplayer shooters. In under three months, it has shifted an astonishing 12 million copies and now regularly pulls player numbers comparable to long-running giants like Counter-Strike 2 and Apex Legends. That kind of momentum doesn't happen by accident. So what exactly is Arc Raiders, and what should new players expect when they first step into its hostile world?

What is Arc Raiders?

Developed by Swedish studio Embark, Arc Raiders belongs to the extraction shooter genre. These are online multiplayer games where players are dropped into a shared map, tasked with scavenging valuable ARC Raiders Items, weapons, and resources before safely extracting. If you make it out alive, you keep what you found; if you die, most of it is lost.

You can play solo or team up with up to two friends, but you'll also encounter other human players roaming the same space. Gameplay blends Player vs Environment (PvE) encounters against AI-controlled enemies with Player vs Player (PvP) clashes against other raiders. Unlike many extraction shooters, however, Arc Raiders doesn't force constant hostility. Players can communicate using preset voice lines like "don't shoot!", or use voice chat to negotiate, cooperate, or temporarily ally against tougher threats. It's not unusual to see strangers working together rather than firing on sight.

What's the story?

The game is set on a ruined Earth in the distant future. A catastrophic ecological collapse has wiped out most of humanity and rendered much of the planet uninhabitable. As survivors retreat underground, an alien robotic force known as the Arc arrives to harvest Earth's remaining resources and eliminate what's left of human civilisation.

Beneath the surface, humanity clings to survival in Toledo, a vast underground city. Above ground, the planet is patrolled by deadly autonomous machines – drones, walkers, and towering mechanical monsters that now dominate the landscape.

What do you actually do?

You play as a raider, venturing from Toledo to the surface on dangerous scavenging runs. Each raid is a risk-reward gamble: the longer you stay out, the more valuable loot you might find, but the higher the chance of dying before extraction.

As you complete raids, you earn experience points that feed into a skill tree focused on survival, movement, and combat effectiveness. You'll also discover blueprints that unlock new craftable gear and weapons. Traders in Toledo offer missions that reward useful equipment and currency, and they'll sell you items you can't yet craft yourself.

Over time, you'll build a self-sufficient raider with upgraded gear, expanded storage, and a wider crafting arsenal.

Why has it become so popular?

The extraction shooter space is already crowded, with games like Escape from Tarkov and Hunt: Showdown offering brutal, high-stakes experiences. What sets Arc Raiders apart is its distinctive retro-futuristic aesthetic and its cinematic sense of scale.

The game's environments are visually striking, the sound design is exceptional, and the music adds real tension to every encounter. Combat against Arc machines feels dynamic and unpredictable, thanks to advanced AI behaviour. Some enemies are truly enormous – including the spider-like Matriarch – and fighting them often turns into spontaneous, multiplayer set-piece battles involving multiple squads.

How should beginners start playing?

The simplest advice is: jump in. Arc Raiders is available on PC, Xbox, and PlayStation 5. A headset is highly recommended, both for communication and for audio awareness – sound cues are crucial for detecting enemies and other players.

After creating your character, you'll begin on the Dam Battlegrounds map. While additional locations like Buried City and Stella Montis unlock later, it's best to spend your early hours learning the Dam. The enemy density is lower, and player encounters are generally less aggressive.

During your first few raids, focus on exploration. Learn enemy behaviours, search buildings thoroughly, and practice extracting safely. Loot everything you find at the start. Common materials like wires and springs are essential for crafting, while rare junk items can be sold or recycled for cheap ARC Raiders Coins scrap.