ARC Raiders is a test of human nature. I was struck by the behaviour of players in the game. This new video game reveals the truth about human nature and how we behave in crisis situations. This is especially apparent when resources and items are worth their weight in gold and our lives are at risk. Want to test your instincts? Play ARC Raiders for free using our version of the game.
When a great cataclysm, zombie epidemic or machine rebellion occurs, it turns out that humans are the biggest monsters of all. Works of mass culture convince us of this, depicting humans as demons when they are unrestrained by the rigours of law, institutions, and public control. They don’t have to do evil, but they can and want to, putting humanism on the back burner.
The subject of many books, films, TV series, essays, scientific dissertations and even psychological experiments, reflections on human nature in a world without public order are everywhere. ARC Raiders, a sensational video game that I haven’t been able to tear myself away from for several days, adds another dimension to this genre. This extraction shooter says a lot about our herd behaviour.
Explore the post-apocalyptic world in search of valuable resources on the surface
The world presented in the game evokes strong associations with The Matrix. Humanity has been defeated by its own creation: thinking robots that have taken control of the planet. Humans have been forced underground, fighting for the survival of their species. Only the bravest venture out onto the surface, which is filled with relics, in search of resources. However, it is clear that they cannot hope to fight the machines on equal terms, as they are overwhelmingly superior.
ARC Raiders is an extraction shooter game. Players venture to the surface alone or in small groups to search for treasure while avoiding clashes with robots. While it is possible to win clashes with smaller machines, it is better to avoid confrontation and focus on searching for loot, as this saves time and valuable resources such as ammunition and shields. Therefore, it is much better to avoid confrontation and focus on searching for loot.
The problem is that we are not the only ones looking for relics. Other groups of players are doing the same. Murder on the surface, on the other hand, comes easily. There are no consequences, and the valuable loot of the slain daredevil finds a new owner. Moreover, it is much easier to kill a human than a machine, which adds to the tension.
I am delighted by the way the psychology of ARC Raiders players differs depending on whether they play alone or in a group
ARC Raiders has a very intuitive lobby system built in. If we venture to the surface alone, we will find ourselves on an open map alongside other lone players. Organised groups of friends, on the other hand, will encounter other teams. This avoids disparities in firepower. An unexpected consequence of this division is a complete change in player psychology.
When I venture to the surface in a group — even just two people — a bloodbath with other players is almost guaranteed. Teams open fire without hesitation, sometimes from a distance. There is a clear division between us and them. A tribal battle ensues, in which our small community must prove its superiority over the others. Classic rivalry. With the support of our allies behind us, we are more willing to pull the trigger.
At the same time, our companions make us perceive other players as enemies by default. After all, we have our own group. The others are strangers. There is no place for us among them. Even if we don’t want to fight, one of our allies might pull the trigger. Or one of our enemies. Peace is out of the question as it would be seen as a sign of weakness by our comrades, and it seems unlikely anyway. Even if five players want to avoid fighting, a shot from the sixth player will unleash hell. That’s why it’s better to shoot first and gain the upper hand.
It’s a completely different situation when I go solo. The behaviour of the players changes radically
Deprived of a sense of belonging and group support, players avoid confrontation. If they hear others — and the soundscape in ARC Raiders is extremely rich; you can hear everything with good headphones — they immediately shout: Don’t shoot! This command can be issued via the communication menu, and it is the one most often heard on the map during solo games. It carries in open spaces and narrow corridors.
Don’t shoot! Don’t shoot! Players promise mutual peace, sometimes confirming it with a flashlight. The peace prevailing on solo servers is downright puzzling. Despite having encountered other players face-to-face a dozen or so times, I have never once been betrayed by a series of shots to the back. I should have been, though, because random daily challenges often encourage fighting other players. You get points for completing them, which can be exchanged for cosmetic items. Nevertheless, the maxim pacta sunt servanda prevails.
The differences in the nature of solo and group gameplay force reflection. It’s interesting to see how much the player’s attitude changes. The lack of division between us and them, and the absence of tribal rivalry, affects our ability to find peaceful solutions. Even though the reward of equipment is tempting, the greater danger from the robots takes precedence. Peace of mind becomes valuable in itself, making it easier to survive on the surface.
I have played many extraction shooters, but in none of them was the behaviour of the players so human. Although they are capable of fighting, the seekers do not, showing a maturity that is foreign to the communities of other online productions. This alone gives the impression that you are experiencing something unique. It’s an original production.
In many games, the extraction module is significantly inferior to the shooter module. This results in a strange battle royale with an evacuation function. However, the essence of this unique genre lies elsewhere. Not in regular, vulgar PvP clashes, but in planning, exploration and the effective acquisition of resources. The number of players killed should be less important than what is brought back to base. This is where ARC Raiders excels.
After spending a few days with this unique title, I am convinced that the developers have created something exceptional. It’s a game in which extraction is key and shooting is an addition. It’s an incredible achievement that showcases the developers’ craftsmanship in terms of balancing mechanics and economics. This is one of the reasons why I launch ARC Raiders whenever I have a free moment — I’m enchanted by its unique world and community.
We are sharing a link that will allow you to play ARC Raiders for free with no restrictions. Simply click the button below to start downloading and installing the game.
ARC Raiders system requirements
Minimum:
- OS: Windows 10 or later 64-bit (latest update)
- Processor: Intel Core i5-6600K or AMD Ryzen R5 1600 processor
- Memory: 12 GB RAM
- Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 Ti or AMD Radeon RX 580 or Intel Arc A380
- DirectX: Version 12
- Network: Broadband Internet connection
Recommended:
- OS: Windows 10 or later 64-bit (latest update)
- Processor: Intel Core i5-9600K or AMD Ryzen 5 3600 processor
- Memory: 16 GB RAM
- Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070 or AMD Radeon RX 5700 XT or Intel Arc B570
- DirectX: Version 12
- Network: Broadband Internet connection