In an exciting development for gaming enthusiasts and industry insiders alike, New ARC Raiders Series Will Give a Look at the Game’s Development through an upcoming documentary series that promises to reveal the dramatic story behind one of 2025’s most surprising success stories. Titled “The Evolution of ARC Raiders,” this three-part documentary series produced by the renowned team at Noclip will take viewers on an unprecedented journey through the game’s tumultuous development process, from its initial conception to its eventual triumph.
The Documentary Series: What to Expect?
“The Evolution of ARC Raiders” represents a significant collaboration between Embark Studios and Noclip, the crowdfunded media company famous for their authentic and in-depth gaming documentaries. Founded by Danny O’Dwyer, Noclip has built a reputation for creating compelling narratives about game development, with previous documentaries covering industry giants like Bethesda, Crystal Dynamics, and major titles such as Fallout 76 and Dream Daddy.
This upcoming series will span three episodes, each diving deep into different aspects of ARC Raiders’ creation. The documentary promises to feature:
- Exclusive interviews with key developers including Embark Studios co-founder Patrick Soderlund
- Never-before-seen concept art and early development footage
- Behind-the-scenes insights into the decision-making processes that shaped the game
- Candid discussions about the challenges and breakthroughs during development
What makes this documentary particularly compelling is its timing. Coming on the heels of ARC Raiders’ successful launch, which saw the game peak at over 264,000 concurrent Steam players, the series will provide context for understanding how such an ambitious project overcame numerous obstacles to achieve commercial success.
The Rocky Road to Release: A Story of Reinvention
The development journey of ARC Raiders is nothing short of remarkable, marked by multiple delays, fundamental design pivots, and moments of existential crisis within the development team. Originally announced at The Game Awards 2021, the game faced a development timeline that would test any studio’s resolve.
From PvE Dreams to PvPvE Reality
One of the most fascinating aspects of ARC Raiders’ development, which the documentary is expected to explore in detail, is its dramatic shift from a purely PvE (Player vs. Environment) experience to the PvPvE (Player vs. Player vs. Environment) hybrid that players enjoy today. According to interviews with Patrick Soderlund, the team initially envisioned ARC Raiders as a cooperative experience where players would team up against the mechanical ARC threats in a post-apocalyptic world.
However, during development, the team reached a sobering conclusion. “We loved every aspect of what we were trying to design,” Soderlund admitted in an interview with Edge Magazine. “But we came to the conclusion, after quite a long time: ‘Guys, this game is not fun.'” This moment of brutal honesty led to a fundamental rethinking of the game’s core design philosophy.
The decision to add PvP elements wasn’t made lightly. Many developers at Embark Studios were resistant to the idea, particularly since the studio already had a successful competitive shooter in The Finals. As Soderlund explained, the team was “tired of PvP” after working on numerous competitive titles during their time at EA and DICE. Yet, the data and playtesting feedback clearly indicated that something was missing from the purely cooperative experience.
The “Not Fun” Crisis and Three-Year Delay
Perhaps the most dramatic revelation from early interviews about the documentary is that ARC Raiders was internally delayed for approximately three years because the developers themselves didn’t find the game enjoyable. Executive producer Aleksandr Grondal, who joined the team in the final six months of development, recalled his initial impressions: “It took me a long time to understand what we were even trying to do. There’s moments of fun, but it doesn’t consistently gel.”
This honesty about the game’s shortcomings is rare in the industry and speaks to Embark Studios’ commitment to quality over meeting arbitrary release dates. The documentary will likely explore this challenging period in detail, showing how the team maintained morale while essentially starting over with their core design philosophy.
The Business Model Pivot: From Free-to-Play to Premium
Another significant aspect of ARC Raiders’ development that the documentary series will cover is the shift from a planned free-to-play model to a premium $39.99 price point. This decision, announced in August 2024, represented a major strategic pivot for the project and reflected the team’s evolving understanding of their game’s identity and audience.
The change wasn’t just about pricing—it was about repositioning the entire product. By moving away from the free-to-play model, Embark Studios signaled their confidence in the game’s quality and their desire to create a more straightforward player experience without the complexities of microtransactions and seasonal content that typically accompany free-to-play titles.
This business model evolution is particularly interesting given the current gaming landscape, where free-to-play extraction shooters have become increasingly common. The documentary will likely explore the internal debates that led to this decision and how it affected the game’s development priorities and marketing strategy.
Noclip’s Track Record: Why This Documentary Matters?
The involvement of Noclip in telling ARC Raiders’ story adds significant credibility and anticipation to the project. Founded by Danny O’Dwyer, a former GameSpot editor, Noclip has established itself as the premier producer of video game documentaries, known for their thoughtful, in-depth approach to storytelling.
Noclip’s previous work includes acclaimed documentaries about:
- The History of Bethesda Game Studios – A comprehensive look at one of gaming’s most beloved developers
- The Design of Fallout 76 – An unflinching examination of a controversial game’s development
- The 30-Year History of Crystal Dynamics – A celebration of a studio’s legacy and evolution
What sets Noclip apart is their commitment to authentic storytelling. Unlike traditional “making of” videos that often serve as marketing materials, Noclip documentaries dig deeper, exploring both the triumphs and challenges of game development. Their crowdfunded model also means they’re not beholden to publishers or developers, allowing for greater editorial independence and honesty in their storytelling.
For ARC Raiders, this means viewers can expect a documentary that doesn’t shy away from the difficult moments and tough decisions that shaped the game. Given what we already know about the development struggles, this could make for one of Noclip’s most compelling series to date.
Patrick Soderlund: From EA Executive to Indie Studio Founder
Central to ARC Raiders’ story is Patrick Soderlund, whose journey from EA executive vice president to founder of Embark Studios represents one of the more interesting career trajectories in the gaming industry. Soderlund’s experience at EA during the launch of Titanfall 2—a game widely regarded as excellent but commercially disappointing due to its unfortunate release timing between Battlefield 1 and Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare—gives him unique perspective on the challenges of launching new IP in competitive markets.
This experience makes ARC Raiders’ successful launch particularly poignant. The game was released in October 2025, directly between Battlefield 6 and Black Ops 7—essentially the same scenario that doomed Titanfall 2. Yet, despite these challenging circumstances, ARC Raiders has thrived, demonstrating impressive player numbers and positive reception.
When asked about the seemingly insane timing of the launch, Soderlund showed characteristic candor: “I know that people may look at that [launch date] and say, ‘What the hell are they doing?’ We have spent a lot of time looking at this from multiple aspects and angles, and you know, for right or wrong we’ve decided that we believe the game can launch there. We look at this long term. This is the start of a long term journey. It needs to start somewhere.”
This long-term vision and willingness to take calculated risks is exactly the kind of perspective that makes for compelling documentary storytelling, and viewers can expect to see more of Soderlund’s leadership philosophy throughout the series.
The Technical and Creative Evolution
Beyond the business and design decisions, “The Evolution of ARC Raiders” will likely delve into the technical and creative evolution of the game. Early trailers and development footage showed a different vision for the game, with different mechanics, visual styles, and gameplay systems that didn’t make it to the final release.
The documentary is expected to explore:
- The evolution of the ARC machines – How the enemy designs and behaviors changed over time
- World-building and lore development – The process of creating the post-apocalyptic setting and its backstory
- Gameplay mechanics refinement – How core systems like extraction, combat, and progression evolved
- Visual and audio development – The artistic journey from concept to final implementation
This behind-the-scenes look at the creative process will be particularly valuable for aspiring game developers and industry enthusiasts, offering insights into how AAA veterans approach game development when freed from the constraints of large corporate structures.
The Human Element: Team Dynamics and Culture
Perhaps the most compelling aspect of any game development documentary is the human element—the stories of the people who pour their hearts and souls into these projects, often working long hours under intense pressure. “The Evolution of ARC Raiders” is expected to shine a light on the team dynamics at Embark Studios and how the company culture influenced the game’s development.
Founded in 2018 by industry veterans including Magnus Nordin, Rob Runesson, Stefan Strandberg, Patrick Soderlund, Jenny Huldschiner, and Johan Andersson, Embark Studios set out with a mission to “blur the line between playing and making.” This philosophy suggests a different approach to game development, one that emphasizes creativity, experimentation, and employee empowerment.
The documentary will likely explore:
- Team structure and collaboration – How the roughly 300-person studio organized around the project
- Creative problem-solving – How the team addressed the “not fun” crisis and other challenges
- Work-life balance and crunch – The human cost of development and how Embark managed it
- Company culture and values – How Embark’s unique philosophy influenced the final product
What This Means for the Gaming Industry?
The story of ARC Raiders’ development, as told through this documentary series, has broader implications for the gaming industry as a whole. In an era where game development is becoming increasingly expensive and risk-averse, Embark Studios’ willingness to delay their game by years to get it right represents a bold alternative to the “release now, patch later” mentality that plagues many AAA titles.
The documentary will likely touch on several industry-relevant themes:
- The value of iteration and refinement – How taking time to perfect a game can lead to better outcomes
- Indie vs. AAA development philosophies – How mid-sized studios can compete with industry giants
- The importance of honest self-assessment – Why admitting when something isn’t working is crucial for success
- Player feedback and community building – How engaging with players during development can improve the final product
Anticipation and Release Details
While Embark Studios and Noclip have yet to announce an official release date for “The Evolution of ARC Raiders,” the gaming community is already buzzing with anticipation. Given Noclip’s track record and the dramatic nature of ARC Raiders’ development story, this series has the potential to be one of the most compelling gaming documentaries of recent years.
The timing of the release is particularly interesting. Coming after the game’s successful launch, the documentary will serve both as a celebration of the team’s achievement and as a cautionary tale about the challenges of game development. It will also provide valuable context for players who have enjoyed the game but may not be aware of the incredible journey it took to get to their screens.
Why This Documentary Matters to Gamers?
For players who have enjoyed ARC Raiders, this documentary series offers a chance to understand the passion, dedication, and sacrifice that went into creating their favorite game. It’s easy to take finished products for granted, but seeing the human story behind the development process can deepen appreciation for the art and craft of game development.
For those who haven’t played ARC Raiders, the documentary still offers value as a case study in game development, creative problem-solving, and business strategy in the gaming industry. The lessons learned from Embark Studios’ journey could inform and inspire future generations of game developers.
Conclusion: A New Standard for Gaming Transparency
New ARC Raiders Series Will Give a Look at the Game’s Development in a way that few games have ever experienced before. “The Evolution of ARC Raiders” promises to be more than just a marketing piece—it’s a candid, comprehensive look at the messy, challenging, and ultimately rewarding process of creating something new in the gaming industry.
By partnering with Noclip, Embark Studios is setting a new standard for transparency in game development, showing that it’s possible to be both successful and honest about the journey. In an industry often criticized for its secrecy and spin, this documentary series represents a refreshing commitment to authenticity that will hopefully inspire other developers to share their stories as well.
As we await the release of this documentary series, one thing is clear: the story of ARC Raiders is far from over. With its successful launch and the promise of continued support and evolution, the game represents just the beginning of Embark Studios’ journey. And thanks to “The Evolution of ARC Raiders,” we’ll all have a front-row seat for whatever comes next.