Skip to main content
Join The Community
- Join our community
11
Premium Benefits
24/7
Access Available
21K+
Active Members
Commenting
Join the discussion
Exclusive Articles Coming Soon
Member-only articles
Weekly Newsletters
Weekly gaming & entertainment news
Member Badges
Earn badges as you go
Exclusive Competitions
Members-only prize draws
Curated Deals Coming Soon
Tech and gaming deals worth grabbing
GET COMMUNITY ACCESS QUICK
For the quickest way to join, simply enter your email below and get access. We will send a confirmation and sign you up to our newsletter to keep you updated on all your gaming news.
By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.
FIND OUT ABOUT OUR MAGAZINE
Want to subscribe to the magazine? Click the button below to find out more information.
Find out more
GET Community ACCESS QUICK

Join the GamesRadar community for quick access. Enter your email below and we'll send confirmation, and sign you up to our newsletter.

By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

Background
Welcome to GamesRADAR+ Community !
Hi ,

Your membership journey starts here.

Keep exploring and earning more as a member.

MY ACCOUNT

Badge picture
Earn your first badge
Read 1 article to unlock your first badge.
Keep earning badges
Explore ways to get more involved as a member.
Latest Games News

Latest Games News

Breaking gaming news and updates

Read Now
Latest Games Reviews

Latest Games Reviews

Expert verdicts on the newest releases

Read Now

See what you’ve unlocked.

Explore your membership benefits.

Explore
Member Exclusives

Stay Ahead with GamesRadar+

Get the biggest gaming news, reviews, and releases straight to your inbox.

Explore

Sign Out
GamesRadar+ GamesRadar+
US EditionUS CA EditionCanada UK EditionUK AU EditionAustralia
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
  • Games
    • Game Insights
      • Games News
      • Games Features
      • Games Reviews
      • Games Guides
      • Big in 2026
      • Big Preview
      • Future Games Show
      • Golden Joystick Awards
    • Genres
      • Action Games
      • RPGs
      • Action RPGs
      • Adventure Games
      • Third Person Shooters
      • FPS Games
    • Platforms
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X
      • PC
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Nintendo Switch 2
      • Tabletop Gaming
    • Franchises
      • Grand Theft Auto
      • Pokemon
      • Assassin's Creed
      • Monster Hunter
      • Fortnite
      • Cyberpunk
      • Red Dead
      • The Elder Scrolls
      • The Sims
  • Entertainment
    • TV Shows
      • TV News
      • TV Reviews
      • Anime Shows
      • Sci-Fi Shows
      • Superhero Shows
      • Animated Shows
      • Marvel TV Shows
      • Star Wars TV Shows
      • DC TV Shows
    • Movies
      • Movie News
      • Movie Reviews
      • Big Screen Spotlight
      • Superhero Movies
      • Action Movies
      • Anime Movies
      • Sci-Fi Movies
      • Horror Movies
      • Marvel Movies
      • DC Movies
    • Streaming
      • Apple TV Plus
      • Disney Plus
      • Netflix
      • HBO
      • Amazon Prime Video
      • Hulu
    • Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • DC Comics
  • Hardware
    • Insights
      • Hardware News
      • Hardware Reviews
      • Hardware Features
      • Buying Guides
    • Computing
      • Desktop PCs
      • Laptops
      • Handhelds
    • Peripherals
      • Headsets & Headphones
      • TVs & Monitors
      • Gaming Mice
      • Gaming Keyboards
      • Gaming Chairs
      • Speakers & Audio
    • Accessories & Tech
      • Gaming Controllers
      • Tech
      • SSDs & Hard Drives
      • VR
      • Accessories
      • Retro
  • Deals
    • Toys & Collectibles
    • Lego
    • Dungeons and Dragons
    • Merch
  • Video
    • Video
    • GR+ Replay - Submit Your Clips
  • Newsletters
    • Quizzes
    • About Us
    • How to pitch to us
    • How we score
    • Newsarama
    • Retro Gamer
  • home
  • Games
    • View Games
      • Games News
      • Games Features
      • Games Reviews
      • Games Guides
      • Big in 2026
      • Big Preview
      • Future Games Show
      • Golden Joystick Awards
      • Action Games
      • RPGs
      • Action RPGs
      • Adventure Games
      • Third Person Shooters
      • FPS Games
    • Platforms
      • View Platforms
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X
      • PC
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Nintendo Switch 2
      • Tabletop Gaming
      • Grand Theft Auto
      • Pokemon
      • Assassin's Creed
      • Monster Hunter
      • Fortnite
      • Cyberpunk
      • Red Dead
      • The Elder Scrolls
      • The Sims
  • Entertainment
    • View Entertainment
    • TV Shows
      • View TV Shows
      • TV News
      • TV Reviews
      • Anime Shows
      • Sci-Fi Shows
      • Superhero Shows
      • Animated Shows
      • Marvel TV Shows
      • Star Wars TV Shows
      • DC TV Shows
    • Movies
      • View Movies
      • Movie News
      • Movie Reviews
      • Big Screen Spotlight
      • Superhero Movies
      • Action Movies
      • Anime Movies
      • Sci-Fi Movies
      • Horror Movies
      • Marvel Movies
      • DC Movies
    • Streaming
      • View Streaming
      • Apple TV Plus
      • Disney Plus
      • Netflix
      • HBO
      • Amazon Prime Video
      • Hulu
    • Comics
      • View Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • DC Comics
  • Hardware
    • View Hardware
      • Hardware News
      • Hardware Reviews
      • Hardware Features
      • Buying Guides
      • Desktop PCs
      • Laptops
      • Handhelds
    • Peripherals
      • View Peripherals
      • Headsets & Headphones
      • TVs & Monitors
      • Gaming Mice
      • Gaming Keyboards
      • Gaming Chairs
      • Speakers & Audio
      • Gaming Controllers
      • Tech
      • SSDs & Hard Drives
      • VR
      • Accessories
      • Retro
  • Deals
    • Toys & Collectibles
    • Lego
    • Dungeons and Dragons
    • Merch
  • Video
    • View Video
    • Video
    • GR+ Replay - Submit Your Clips
  • Newsletters
    • Quizzes
    • About Us
    • How to pitch to us
    • How we score
    • Newsarama
    • Retro Gamer
Trending
  • Saros review
  • Arc Raiders
  • The Boys S5
  • Best turn-based RPGs
  • Submit your clips. Win prizes
  • Delta Force giveaway
Don't miss these
Arc Raiders Queen robot firing a blue laser
Third Person Shooters Arc Raiders preparing new kernel-level anti-cheat to blast cheaters out of the sky
Multi-colored digital man stares at the camera
FPS Games Marathon boss says extraction shooters are like The Lord of the Rings and that's why they need PvP
Arc Raiders player holding a gun in red light
Third Person Shooters Marathon, Arc Raiders, and Last Flag devs discuss the ongoing evolution of multiplayer shooters
Arc Raiders chicken Scrappy in machine helmet
Third Person Shooters Arc Raiders dev thinks yesterday's niche "can become mainstream tomorrow" as extraction shooters boom in popularity
A woman sits at a bar in an Arc Raiders trailer
Third Person Shooters Arc Raiders devs "still learning" what to do with PvP
A screenshot of new Arc Raiders map Riven Tides, set along the coast
Third Person Shooters I’ve been burned by the new Arc Raiders map, but that’s what happens on a beach holiday
Arc Raiders soldier holding assault rifle
Third Person Shooters Arc Raiders guns will finally repair when upgraded, but Embark counters by making them break faster
Arc Raiders player holding a gun in red light
Third Person Shooters Arc Raiders studio contacted by crime scientist "intrigued by how players are interacting"
Arc Raiders Bastion chasing a player
Third Person Shooters Arc Raiders makes huge Expedition changes, bonus skill points now free but earned by dealing damage
Arc Raiders raider swinging a hammer at an Arc
Third Person Shooters Arc Raiders players complain Riven Tides update took a hammer to weapon durability
Arc Raiders Wasp Hunter armor set with yellow leather
Third Person Shooters "Players shouldn't feel fully safe" in Arc Raiders even in friendly lobbies, lead dev says
A woman in a space helmet stares at something off the screen in Arc Raiders
Action Games "I think it's going to be the next big thing": As Marathon's launch looms, will Arc Raiders' success help or hurt Bungie?
Escape from Tarkov Steam screenshots
FPS Games Escape from Tarkov boss says Arc Raiders is "an extraction shooter for casual people"
Arc Raiders bespoke
Third Person Shooters 10 Arc Raiders tips for securing safe victory and epic loot
Arc Raiders screenshot of a helmet lying in sand
Third Person Shooters Tarkov chief is right: Arc Raiders is an extraction shooter for casual people, that's why I like it
Sign up to the GamesRadar+ Newsletter

Weekly digests, tales from the communities you love, and more


By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

You are now subscribed

Your newsletter sign-up was successful


Want to add more newsletters?

GamesRadar+

Every Friday

GamesRadar+

Your weekly update on everything you could ever want to know about the games you already love, games we know you're going to love in the near future, and tales from the communities that surround them.

GTA 6 O'clock

Every Thursday

GTA 6 O'clock

Our special GTA 6 newsletter, with breaking news, insider info, and rumor analysis from the award-winning GTA 6 O'clock experts.

Knowledge

Every Friday

Knowledge

From the creators of Edge: A weekly videogame industry newsletter with analysis from expert writers, guidance from professionals, and insight into what's on the horizon.

The Setup

Every Thursday

The Setup

Hardware nerds unite, sign up to our free tech newsletter for a weekly digest of the hottest new tech, the latest gadgets on the test bench, and much more.

Switch 2 Spotlight

Every Wednesday

Switch 2 Spotlight

Sign up to our new Switch 2 newsletter, where we bring you the latest talking points on Nintendo's new console each week, bring you up to date on the news, and recommend what games to play.

The Watchlist

Every Saturday

The Watchlist

Subscribe for a weekly digest of the movie and TV news that matters, direct to your inbox. From first-look trailers, interviews, reviews and explainers, we've got you covered.

SFX

Once a month

SFX

Get sneak previews, exclusive competitions and details of special events each month!


Join the club

Get full access to premium articles, exclusive features and a growing list of member rewards.


An account already exists for this email address, please log in.
  1. Games
  2. Third Person Shooters
  3. Arc Raiders

Arc Raiders devs tell players to chill about gear score matchmaking because it doesn't actually exist: "The focus is on maintaining the split between solos and squads"

News
By Ashley Bardhan published 27 October 2025

Deep breaths

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

Arc Raiders
(Image credit: Embark Studios)
  • Facebook
  • X
  • Pinterest
  • Flipboard
  • Email
Share this article
0
Join the conversation
Follow us
Add us as a preferred source on Google
Subscribe to our newsletter

You know when you make up a scenario in your head that's really upsetting, and it fills your heart with anguish, and it makes your palms sweat as if it were actually happening? That's sort of what Arc Raiders fans were doing recently with the possibility of gear score matchmaking – until the PvPvE game's developer Embark Studios gently snapped them out of it.

Embark representative Ossen wrote in the Arc Raiders Discord server ahead of the game's October 30 release that, "We noticed some discussions around loot or 'gear score' matchmaking. While it is true that the team has previously evaluated loot/gear-based as well as other types of matchmaking principles, right now the focus is on maintaining the split between solos and squads to keep those groups on an even playing field whenever possible." Over 6,000 heart reacts! 2,400 thumbs up!

"You just have to love proactive and transparent Devs," says one popular reaction on Reddit "Thank you embark!"

Latest Videos From
You may like
  • Arc Raiders screenshot of a helmet lying in sand Arc Raiders players tried to rig matchmaking by lying in post-match surveys, but Embark says those don't do a darn thing
  • Arc Raiders Arc Raiders "needs that element of tension and risk" from PvP, but Embark knows people are loving its "safer lobbies"
  • Arc Raiders characters standing together Arc Raiders devs now force themselves to act nice in playtests to understand friendly players

Only shortly before Embark shared its official response on Discord, Arc Raiders players were typing out jittery messages online about how they "Probably won't buy if gear-based MM is implemented."

Ossen does disclaim that "after launch, we will continue to monitor how things go." But, for now, there is no battle to win. The boogeyman doesn't exist. "The team is determined to to ensure that players have high quality rounds that are varied and interesting," Ossen says on Discord, "but fair."

After 30 million rounds and 816,162 rubber ducks, Arc Raiders celebrates successful Server Slam open beta with some prompt bug squashing: "We took immediate action."

Sign up to the GamesRadar+ Newsletter

Weekly digests, tales from the communities you love, and more

By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.
CATEGORIES
PS5 Xbox Series X PC Gaming Platforms PlayStation Xbox
Ashley Bardhan
Ashley Bardhan
Social Links Navigation
Senior Writer

Ashley is a Senior Writer at GamesRadar+. She's been a staff writer at Kotaku and Inverse, too, and she's written freelance pieces about horror and women in games for sites like Rolling Stone, Vulture, IGN, and Polygon. When she's not covering gaming news, she's usually working on expanding her doll collection while watching Saw movies one through 11.

You must confirm your public display name before commenting

Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.

Read more
Arc Raiders screenshot of a helmet lying in sand
Third Person Shooters Arc Raiders players tried to rig matchmaking by lying in post-match surveys, but Embark says those don't do a darn thing
 
 
Arc Raiders
Third Person Shooters Arc Raiders "needs that element of tension and risk" from PvP, but Embark knows people are loving its "safer lobbies"
 
 
Arc Raiders characters standing together
Third Person Shooters Arc Raiders devs now force themselves to act nice in playtests to understand friendly players
 
 
An Arc Raiders taking cover behind a ruined car as a giant spider-like robot towers over the road
Third Person Shooters Arc Raiders players are killing bigger enemies too fast, devs admit, because they're "not intended" to be dogpiled
 
 
Arc Raiders Wasp Hunter armor set with yellow leather
Third Person Shooters "Players shouldn't feel fully safe" in Arc Raiders even in friendly lobbies, lead dev says
 
 
A woman sits at a bar in an Arc Raiders trailer
Third Person Shooters Arc Raiders devs "still learning" what to do with PvP
 
 
Latest in Third Person Shooters
Cropped Helldivers 2 art from the official 'Save Cyberstan' poster.
Third Person Shooters Helldivers 2 will receive "core" improvements by summer with "more reactive" Galactic War
 
 
Arc Raiders Queen robot firing a blue laser
Third Person Shooters Arc Raiders preparing new kernel-level anti-cheat to blast cheaters out of the sky
 
 
Replay April winner
Third Person Shooters Here's Replay's April winners, each receiving a £/$250 Amazon voucher
 
 
Arc Raiders bespoke
Third Person Shooters Replay's May theme is Arc Raiders: send us clips for a chance to win a £/$250 Amazon voucher!
 
 
Helldivers 2
Third Person Shooters Helldivers 2's Steam rating drops as players accuse devs of favoring new Warbonds over fixing issues
 
 
A woman sits at a bar in an Arc Raiders trailer
Third Person Shooters Arc Raiders devs "still learning" what to do with PvP
 
 
Latest in News
Motorslice screenshot of blue haired girl P
Action Games New Steam indie game with glistening reviews is like Shadow of the Colossus if all the bosses were construction vehicles
 
 
Psychonauts
Xbox First-party Xbox studio Double Fine is unionizing
 
 
Black and white shot of stunned Fortnite character
Battle Royale Games Epic knows everyone's afraid "AI is going to take all our jobs," but the goal is efficiency
 
 
Nintendo Nintendo Switch 2 YouTube hack yanked days after players find a way to watch videos in a free battle royale game
 
 
Baldur's Gate 3 screenshot showing Withers, a mummified corpse-like man with gray features and golden adornments
Baldur's Gate One Baldur's Gate 3 fan is on a mission to complete the weirdest collection in the RPG
 
 
Imogen Poots in Outer Range
Comedy Shows Chronology of Water and Stranger Things stars set to lead new TV show based on popular comic
 
 
LATEST ARTICLES
  1. Motorslice screenshot of blue haired girl P
    1
    New Steam indie game with glistening reviews is like Shadow of the Colossus if all the bosses were construction vehicles
  2. 2
    Pedro Pascal says he originally didn't realize Jon Favreau wanted him to play The Mandalorian in the Star Wars show
  3. 3
    If you think you're good at Warhammer, Kill Team Terror on Devlan will truly test your mettle
  4. 4
    First-party Xbox studio Double Fine is unionizing
  5. 5
    Out of respect for Slippy Toad, I need you to play the OG Star Fox 64 on an actual N64

GamesRadar+ is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

Add as a preferred source on Google Add as a preferred source on Google
  • Terms and conditions
  • Contact Future's experts
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Accessibility statement
  • Careers
  • About us
  • Advertise with us
  • Review guidelines
  • Write for us

© Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036.

Please login or signup to comment

Please wait...