With an October 2025 release that few predicted would be a breakout event, Arc Raiders has positioned itself as one of the most notable success stories of the recent video game industry.In its first three months, the game has sold 14 million copies, far exceeding Nexon’s initial forecasts and securing an important place among extraction shooters.
Over the last month, the game reached a peak of 960,000 simultaneous players on PC, a figure that does not take into account those who play on consoles, and currently has nearly six million active users per week. This data was confirmed by Junghun Lee, president and CEO of Nexon.
Since its release, Arc Raiders, developed by Embark Studios and published by Nexon, has surpassed all internal and external records.What began as another proposal within the competitive subgenre of PvPvE extraction shooters—where the player must complete missions and escape with the loot—soon became one of the most popular gaming experiences globally.In three months, the title achieved sales comparable to some of the most relevant games in recent years, and the weekly active user base has remained solid, with six million players.
The rise of Arc Raiders occurs in a context where several games as a service have had early closures.Cases such as mass layoffs and studio closures throughout the video game industry show a contrast with the performance of Arc Raiders.In the last meeting with investors, Nexon stressed that this growth has been even greater than its most optimistic projections.
One of the fundamental factors behind the success of Arc Raiders has been the strategy of regularly updating content.Nexon has implemented a roadmap that seeks to maintain user interest through monthly events and the constant incorporation of new challenges to the game.An example of this was the recent event focused on cooperative PvE gaming, which for two weeks encouraged collaboration between players, catering to those who prefer cooperation rather than direct competition.
This approach to user experience has proven effective not only in terms of player retention, but also in the game’s public reputation, which has been reinforced in major online communities.
The success of Arc Raiders is also notable for its contrast with the fate of other games of the same type.While other titles have seen their player base decline and suffered internal problems that culminated in layoffs, ArcRaiders has managed to not only retain, but also increase the size of its community.
Nexon has stated its intention to maintain the current momentum and position ArcRaiders as a lasting benchmark, compared to competitors that have failed to adapt or retain their audience.Bungie’s upcoming release of Marathon, another extraction shooter, will be closely monitored to see if it can achieve similar results or if, on the contrary, it reinforces the exceptional nature of the Arc Raiders case.
