Arc Raiders Expeditions paused until early 2027; studio says it may scrap the system
GG Brief Editorial Desk · AI-assisted, source attributed
Embark Studios has paused the Expeditions progression system in Arc Raiders until early 2027, PC Gamer reported. The studio said the pause is to rework Expeditions because longstanding issues and player complaints can’t be addressed with incremental fixes, according to PC Gamer. PC Gamer also reported that in an interview with PCGamesN executive producer Aleksander Grøndal said the team may remove Expeditions entirely. Expeditions function as a prestige-style reset—players invest in a caravan that ultimately enables a narrative departure from the Rust Belt and results in a full level reset, PC Gamer explained.
- What happened: Embark Studios announced a pause on the Expeditions system in Arc Raiders until early 2027 to rework it, and PC Gamer reported that executive producer Aleksander Grøndal told PCGamesN the studio might scrap Expeditions entirely.
- Why it matters: Expeditions are a core prestige-style progression mechanic—players build a caravan and accept a full reset of levels—so changes or removal would alter how high-level progression works in Arc Raiders, as described by PC Gamer.
- Context: PC Gamer reported the pause was framed as necessary because longstanding issues and complaints around Expeditions cannot be fixed with incremental updates; the article describes Expeditions' in-game role and practical effect as a level reset.
- What next: Embark intends to rework Expeditions during the pause through early 2027, per PC Gamer; whether Expeditions will be removed or what the rework will include has not been confirmed.
What changed
Embark Studios has put the Expeditions progression system in Arc Raiders on hold until early 2027 so it can be reworked, PC Gamer reported. That pause follows the studio's assessment that the problems affecting Expeditions cannot be solved by small, incremental updates. PC Gamer also reported that Aleksander Grøndal, Arc Raiders' executive producer, told PCGamesN the team is considering eliminating Expeditions entirely.
Before and after
- Before: Expeditions acted as a prestige-style mechanic in Arc Raiders—high-level players invested time and resources into a caravan that, within the game's fiction, allowed their character to leave the Rust Belt and, in practical terms, triggered a full reset of levels (PC Gamer).
- After: Expeditions are paused while Embark reworks the system; the final shape of the progression system after the pause is not yet established (PC Gamer).
Limits
- PC Gamer reports the pause will last until early 2027 but does not detail specific changes or a timeline for any new system rollout.
- PC Gamer also reports Grøndal said the studio might scrap Expeditions, but removal has not been confirmed and no replacement mechanics have been described.