Arc Raiders Won’t Have Mandatory Server Wipes, but Adds a Prestige Reset System
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Arc Raiders is an extraction shooter where your death in a raid means losing your gear. It’s a punishing feature that fans of the subgenre love. Another feature once common to similar games was the mandatory server wipe, but Embark Studios has confirmed that Arc Raiders will not have those, but something similar that players can choose to trigger on their own terms.
Developer Embark Studios released a new post giving more context on what they came up with that feels like a solid compromise to satisfy those who like to wipe their progress for a challenge, and those who do not, and it’s really a prestige-like system that a player can control.
Simply put, instead of forcing the entire player base to start from scratch, players who reach a certain level will gain the option to reset their progress and lose all their hard-earned gear and progress.
Expedition Projects Is Their Answer
When Arc Raiders launches on October 30, players will unlock the Expedition Project at level 20. This feature runs on an eight-week cycle. If a player decides to reset their progress, they’ll need to complete the Expedition Project within that cycle. Failing to do so just means waiting for the next one. No permanent penalty if you missed your window, just another chance to play with what you have and time to prepare in opting in later in the season..
Embark also confirmed that there will be multiple projects added over time, but the character reset Expedition will be available right from launch, and states that this system is subject to change between now, launch, and post-launch.
What You Lose When You Trigger an Expedition Reset
Triggering this Expedition works similarly to a prestige system. When you activate it, you lose:
Character levels
Skill progression
Items and inventory
Workshop progress
Crafting capabilities
What You Keep
Cosmetics earned or purchased
Awards
Achievements
Rankings
What You Earn
Account wipes are made popular for the sake of giving players a challenge, but most of the time, people appreciate it due to everyone being forced to be on an even playing field at the very beginning, and the online community resetting. At least, from what I understand from Escape from Tarkov players, that’s one of the many appeals for doing this.
But I also understand the argument of why many hate it, as not everyone can play daily, and it’s discouraging to play the game when you have no idea when a wipe is about to happen, or you have a couple of weeks before another wipe.
It’s a tough balance, but for Arc Raiders, they won’t force players. They just give players the option to do it at a specific window. Completing an Expedition reset grants:
Unique cosmetics for each completed Expedition
Account buffs applied during the following Expedition cycle
Embark Studios is still finalizing what players will earn from these wipes.
It’s a balanced approach. Nothing revolutionary, but it offers freedom without punishing players who prefer a slower pace. This also keeps the veterans who thrive on challenge and get their clean-slate runs for bragging rights.
Arc Raiders Server Slam Is Next Week
Arc Raiders is one of my most anticipated titles this month as I’m on an extraction shooter high all-year. Coming from the creators of The Finals, this game has impressed me not only with how the gunplay feels, but the level design, immersion, enemy AI behaviour, to even its sound design.
Server Slam, the public test available on console and PC, will be happening from October 17 - 19. It will serve not only as a time to have everyone try the game, but also to help Embark Studios stress-test their servers as they hope to have a smooth launch on October 30.
About the Author - Carlos Hernandez
Carlos Hernandez is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Too Much Gaming, where he writes about video games, reviews, and industry news. A lifelong gamer, he would do anything to experience Final Fantasy Tactics for the first time again and has a love/hate relationship with games that require hunting for new gear to improve your character.
Ghost of Yotei is less of an upgrade but a clear testament to Sucker Punch’s true specialty, and a reminder of how powerful an open-world samurai adventure can be. It’s gorgeous, tightly crafted, endlessly absorbing, and a must-play for anyone with a PS5.