How To Get Access To ARC Raiders: Your Ultimate 2025 Guide To The Extraction Shooter

The wait is finally over: The most anticipated extraction shooter, ARC Raiders, has a confirmed global release date, meaning the primary method for getting access is now through the official launch. As of today, December 15, 2025, the game is fully launched and available for purchase and download, following a successful "Server Slam" open test that gave millions of players a taste of the intense, third-person cooperative action against the terrifying ARC machine threat. This guide breaks down exactly how you can jump into the action right now, what you missed in the beta phases, and what’s coming next in the 2025 roadmap.

Developed by Embark Studios—a team comprised of industry veterans—ARC Raiders is a free-to-play, high-stakes extraction shooter where you and your squad must scavenge for gear, fight off waves of destructive ARC robots, and extract safely before it's too late. The game’s full launch on October 30, 2025, marked the end of years of anticipation, making the process of gaining access simpler than ever before.

The Definitive Way to Get Access to ARC Raiders (Post-Launch)

With the game officially released, the path to playing ARC Raiders is straightforward. Unlike the previous testing phases which required sign-ups or random selection, the game is now available for everyone on its supported platforms. The global launch date was October 30, 2025.

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1. Purchase and Download the Full Game

ARC Raiders launched as a premium title on all major platforms. To get instant and permanent access, you must purchase the game from the official digital storefronts. There is no longer an "Early Access" period, as the full title is live.

• PC (Windows): Purchase and download via Steam. This is the primary PC platform for the game.
• PlayStation 5: Purchase and download directly from the PlayStation Store.
• Xbox Series X/S: Purchase and download from the Microsoft Store.

Important Note on Editions: Embark Studios offered a Standard and a Deluxe Edition at launch. While the Deluxe Edition includes exclusive cosmetic items like the Astro Bundle, neither edition provided a time-based early access advantage; all players gained access simultaneously on October 30, 2025.

2. Pre-Download (If Applicable)

If you pre-purchased the game before the official launch, you were able to pre-download the entire game file, ensuring you could jump in the moment the servers went live. This was a critical step for day-one players to bypass the large download times.

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3. Cross-Play and Cross-Progression

Once you have access on any platform, ARC Raiders fully supports cross-play, allowing you to squad up with friends regardless of whether they are on PC, PS5, or Xbox Series X/S. This unified player base is a key element of the game’s design.

A Look Back: ARC Raiders Beta and Server Slam Access

For those who followed the game's development, getting early access was a complex process involving multiple testing phases. These events were crucial for stress-testing the servers and gathering player feedback before the final release. Understanding these past methods provides context for the game's current stability and development journey.

The Server Slam Open Test (October 2025)

The final and most widely accessible test was the "Server Slam," which served as an open beta weekend for all interested players. This event was designed to stress-test the servers in preparation for the global launch.

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• Dates: The Server Slam ran from Friday, October 17, to Sunday, October 19, 2025.
• How to Join: No pre-registration or code was required. Players simply downloaded the "Server Slam" client from their platform's store (Steam, PlayStation Store, or Microsoft Store) and jumped right in during the active window.
• Purpose: This was the last chance to play before the official launch, and it was primarily focused on ensuring the game's infrastructure could handle a massive influx of players.

Closed Alpha and Playtesting Phases

Prior to the open beta, access was much more limited and exclusive. Embark Studios ran several closed technical tests and alpha playtests.

• How to Get In: Access was granted randomly to players who signed up for playtesting on the official website or via the Steam page.
• Goal: These early tests focused on core gameplay loops, stability, and identifying major bugs in a smaller, controlled environment.

If you missed these testing phases, don't worry. The full game is now available, incorporating all the fixes and improvements learned from these crucial early access periods.

What's Next for ARC Raiders: Future Access and Content Updates

Getting access to the game is just the beginning. Embark Studios has already outlined an ambitious post-launch roadmap for 2025, ensuring that the game remains fresh and that players have new content to look forward to after the initial launch buzz.

The Cold Snap Update (December 2025)

The first major post-launch content drop is the "Cold Snap" update, which is scheduled to arrive just weeks after the game's release.

• Release Date: December 16, 2025.
• New Content: This update is set to introduce a new map condition that changes the environment, a new "Expedition Departure" window mechanic, and a brand new community event.
• Accessing New Content: All future content updates, including Cold Snap, will be automatically downloaded and available to all owners of the full ARC Raiders game at no additional cost.

Continuous Development and Topical Authority

Embark Studios is committed to building topical authority in the extraction shooter genre by continuously iterating on the game. Future updates, as hinted in the 2025 roadmap, will include new maps, fresh community quests, and more character progression options through expanded skill trees.

In summary, the question of "how to get access to ARC Raiders" has a simple answer today: buy the full game on your platform of choice—PC, PS5, or Xbox Series X/S. All the previous hoops, sign-ups, and wait times are over. Dive in and start battling the ARC threat!