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| Characters in ARC Raiders. |
If you’ve felt like everyone on your friends list has been playing ARC Raiders lately, you’re not imagining it. The breakout co-op shooter from Embark Studios has solidified its place as one of 2025’s defining hits, with newly shared sales figures confirming its blockbuster status.
Launched on October 30, the game has already sold a staggering over 12 million copies, generating an estimated $350 million in revenue across all platforms. The news, which has sent waves through the gaming industry, was broken by analyst Rhys Elliott of Alinea Analytics.
The Numbers Behind the Phenomenon
In a detailed post on LinkedIn, Elliott revealed that ARC Raiders crossed the monumental 12-million-sold threshold over the past weekend. The game’s velocity has been astonishing from the start. It sold an impressive 1.5 million copies in its first three days alone. Before it even reached its two-week anniversary, that figure had leaped to 4 million copies.
"The daily sales trajectory began to stabilize by early December, which is the typical pattern after the initial launch surge," Elliott noted. "But then, strategic moves and the holiday season gave it a second wind."
As Rhys Elliott shared in his analysis on LinkedIn, the game's momentum was supercharged by a perfect storm of factors. You can see his full breakdown here:
Rhys Elliott's detailed sales analysis of ARC Raiders on LinkedIn
The Holiday Boost and Record-Breaking Engagement
That "second wind" Elliott mentioned came from a well-executed 20% discount across all platforms coinciding with the holiday shopping season. Instead of seeing a standard post-launch decline, ARC Raiders experienced a significant sales resurgence.
The results were record-shattering. January 4 officially became the game’s biggest day to date, with a colossal 3.2 million daily active users logging in. This massive player engagement is also reflected on Steam, where ARC Raiders consistently holds a spot among the platform's most-played titles. As of this reporting, it sits comfortably at #3 on Steam’s "Most Played" charts, trailing only the eternal giants Counter-Strike 2 and Dota 2—a remarkable feat for a new IP.
A Victory for Innovation
The commercial success is mirrored by critical and community acclaim. Just recently, ARC Raiders’ unique blend of PvE and PvP elements, and its dynamic, physics-driven gameplay, earned it the "Most Innovative Gameplay" award at the 2024 Steam Awards. This recognition from players underscores that its success isn’t just about marketing—it’s about delivering a fresh and compelling experience.
What This Means for Embark Studios
For Embark Studios, a studio founded by former Battlefield executives, ARC Raiders represents a landmark triumph. It validates their vision and technical prowess, setting a formidable foundation for the game’s future live-service development and establishing a major new franchise. The $350 million revenue figure, driven largely by premium sales before factoring in any in-game purchases, provides immense resources for ongoing content and support.
In a landscape where new IPs face immense pressure, ARC Raiders has not just found an audience—it has captured the zeitgeist. With player numbers still peaking and a roadmap likely full of new content, the raid is far from over.
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| ARC Raiders sales stats. |