Arc Raiders Players Manipulate Matchmaking for Peaceful Lobbies

Players of the extraction shooter Arc Raiders have discovered that the game's aggression-based matchmaking system can be manipulated to create peaceful lobbies where cooperation replaces combat.

Since developer Embark Studios implemented the system to group aggressive players together, peaceful gamers have learned that avoiding PvP encounters can lead to lobbies where players share loot, dance together, and assist one another rather than fight.

These friendly lobbies represent a significant shift in how the community experiences the game, with some players reporting entire runs without violence, resulting in cooperative Matriarch defeats and equitable loot distribution.

The phenomenon has sparked discussions about whether the game should officially support peaceful gameplay modes, though the current system relies on player behavior patterns to naturally segregate playstyles.

Embark Studios implemented aggression-based matchmaking (ABMM) to address the game's cutthroat PvP encounters by grouping players with similar behavioral patterns together.

The system tracks player actions and matches aggressive, combat-focused Raiders with others who exhibit similar tendencies, creating a self-segregating ecosystem where violent players face violent opponents.

However, this implementation has had an unintended consequence: players who consistently avoid combat and focus on PvE activities are increasingly matched with similar peaceful players.

The result is the emergence of lobbies where the usual tension of extraction shooter gameplay is replaced by cooperation and mutual assistance.

According to community reports, the system is not entirely precise, with some players experimenting to find the right balance between peaceful and aggressive matchmaking outcomes.

Players have noted that ABMM is not a perfect science, and the system continues to be tweaked as the game evolves through its third month since launch.

The peaceful lobby phenomenon has created an entirely new social experience within Arc Raiders that many players describe as transformative.

Multiple players have shared stories online about encounters that defy the game's competitive expectations:

• Groups coordinating to evenly share loot after defeating Matriarchs
• Impromptu dance parties at extraction points
• Players gifting valuable blueprints to strangers
• Cooperative exploration without fear of betrayal

One player described the experience as discovering "a whole new world" after a week of intense PvP encounters, highlighting how dramatically these lobbies change the game's atmosphere.

Another player reported receiving two blueprints from a stranger who simply chose to be generous, then paying that kindness forward to other players.

These encounters have become so valued that some players actively seek ways to maintain their friendly lobby status, viewing the cooperative experience as more rewarding than combat.

The community has even developed informal advice for players hoping to avoid PvP while still enjoying the game's core looting and exploration mechanics.

The Arc Raiders community shows divided opinions on the aggression-based matchmaking system and the emergence of peaceful lobbies.

Peaceful players overwhelmingly embrace the change, with many expressing relief at finding ways to enjoy the game without constant PvP pressure.

These players emphasize that the game's exploration, looting, and social elements provide sufficient engagement without needing combat-focused gameplay.

Conversely, aggressive players have mixed feelings about being matched exclusively with similar opponents, though some appreciate the consistent challenge.

Interestingly, some players enjoy both playstyles and have learned to manipulate the system to experience different lobby types depending on their mood.

One Reddit user commented: "I enjoy both lobbies. PvE for making new friends and looting properly. PvP with my mate terrorising the whole lobby and losing all the good weapons we brought [because] someone outplays us with a big smile on our faces and having a great time."

The discussion has extended to whether Embark Studios should implement official support for strictly peaceful lobbies, though the current organic system continues to evolve through player behavior.

Embark Studios has made its vision for Arc Raiders clear, with CEO Patrick Söderlund explaining that the game is not primarily about competitive PvP gameplay.

In a recent interview, Söderlund stated: "The game isn't about shooting other players. You can do that if you want to, but the ethos of the game has never been to go in and shoot players. It's a part that we use to craft tension."

This philosophy aligns with the studio's decision not to implement competitive features like leaderboards, suggesting support for emergent playstyles including peaceful cooperation.

The developer has also been actively working to maintain game integrity, addressing cheaters while allowing the community to naturally discover preferred ways to experience the evolving extraction shooter.

As Arc Raiders continues through its third month since launching on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S, the aggression-based matchmaking system remains a subject of ongoing refinement.

The organic emergence of peaceful lobbies demonstrates how player behavior can shape game systems in unexpected ways, potentially influencing future updates and design decisions.

Whether Embark Studios will formalize these peaceful gameplay options or continue allowing them to emerge naturally remains to be seen, but the community has clearly demonstrated a strong appetite for cooperative experiences within the extraction shooter framework.