Arc Raiders Briefly Surpasses Battlefield 6 on Steam
Extraction shooters once seemed like a niche genre, known for their extreme difficulty. Even as a seasoned MOBA player, I found them punishing, but Arc Raiders has struck a balance that appeals to both hardcore and casual players.
Rapid Growth and Popularity
Arc Raiders has quickly emerged as a top game on Steam, reaching over 354,000 concurrent players on Friday night just a week after its release, according to SteamDB. This impressive peak even allowed it to briefly surpass Battlefield 6, a Steam heavyweight, which had around 318,000 players near midnight UTC Saturday.
Arc Raiders vs Battlefield 6 Player Counts
- Arc Raiders peak: 354,000 players
- Battlefield 6 peak: 318,000 players
- Arc Raiders surpassed Battlefield 6 with 329,000 players around midnight UTC Saturday
Consistent Audience and Appeal
Arc Raiders may not yet match Battlefield 6's long-term highs, but its initial player base is both large and steady. For a game new to the market to come close to rivaling a franchise with decades of legacy is remarkable.
"As for why, Arc Raiders has a lot going for it. Like BF6, it runs like a dream and doesn't require a monster rig, which will always be an easier sell than bleeding edge visuals."
Technical Accessibility
One key factor behind Arc Raiders' rapid success is its smooth performance that does not demand high-end computers, making it accessible to a wider audience than many visually intensive titles.
Author's summary: Arc Raiders quickly gained massive traction on Steam by balancing accessibility and engaging gameplay, briefly outpacing Battlefield 6 in concurrent players shortly after its release.