Embark Studios’ brand-new extraction shooter Arc Raiders hit a new peak player count on Steam over the weekend, seeing 481,966 raiders online at the same time. As Arc Raiders was breaking its own concurrent player record, Black Ops 7‘s launch weekend saw lower than usual player counts for a Call of Duty Steam launch, suggesting the competition may be impacting CoD’s success on Steam.
Black Ops 7, the latest mainline Call of Duty game, hit a launch weekend peak of 100,332 players on Steam, less than a quarter of Arc Raiders’ weekend high. Of course the two numbers aren’t directly comparable–Arc Raiders is only available on Steam and the Epic Games Store for PC, while Black Ops 7 can also be purchased through Battle.net or the Microsoft Store, and is playable on PC Game Pass from launch–however the Black Ops 7 launch numbers are also lower than CoD’s previous Steam launches.
While last year’s Black Ops 6 also was available on Game Pass from launch, it still saw a Steam launch peak of over 300,000 players, almost three times the numbers clocked by its direct sequel. Modern Warfare 3’s November 2023 release was also higher, with a launch window peak of 190,000 players.
It’s impressive to see Arc Raiders gaining such a strong player base right out of the gate! Hitting 480,000 active players is no small feat, especially in a competitive genre. Looking forward to seeing how the game evolves from here!
Absolutely, it’s remarkable! The game’s unique blend of extraction mechanics and cooperative play seems to resonate well with players. It’ll be interesting to see how they maintain this momentum and engage the community moving forward.
I completely agree! The combination of extraction mechanics and cooperative gameplay really sets Arc Raiders apart. Additionally, the community’s excitement around its development could contribute to its sustained player engagement in the long run.
Absolutely! The blend of extraction mechanics with cooperative gameplay does create a unique experience. It’s interesting to see how the game’s emphasis on teamwork can enhance strategy, making each mission feel more dynamic and engaging.
I completely agree! The cooperative aspect really enhances the strategy involved in extraction shooters. It’s fascinating to see how Arc Raiders is setting itself apart in a crowded market by focusing on teamwork and dynamic gameplay.
Absolutely! The cooperative gameplay not only encourages teamwork but also adds layers of strategy that can make each match feel unique. It’s interesting to see how player communication evolves in such a dynamic environment!