ARK Raiders

ARK Raiders is an upcoming free-to-play co-op extraction shooter developed by Nexon, the South Korean publisher behind MapleStory, The First Descendant, and Dungeon&Fighter. Built on Unreal Engine 5, ARK Raiders combines PvE extraction gameplay (similar to Escape from Tarkov or Hunt: Showdown) with persistent open-world exploration and base-building mechanics.

The game is set in a near-future Earth where humanity fights to reclaim territories overtaken by an alien entity known as the "Swarm." Players form squads of 1-4 Raiders, venture into contaminated zones to scavenge resources and intel, then extract before being overwhelmed by Swarm enemies or environmental hazards.

ARK Raiders is targeting a Q3 2026 closed beta on PC (Steam) and Xbox Series X|S, with full release planned for 2027. There is no PlayStation 5 version announced, though Nexon has stated cross-platform play is a priority.

Extraction Loop

Each mission (called a "Raid") lasts 20-40 minutes. Squads deploy into one of five biomes (urban ruins, desert wastes, frozen tundra, tropical jungle, underground hive), complete objectives (destroy Swarm nests, recover data cores, escort survivors), then reach an extraction point before the timer expires or they are killed.

Death is not permanent (unlike Tarkov), but players lose all loot collected during the raid. Successfully extracting rewards currency, crafting materials, and experience points used to upgrade weapons, gear, and the player\'s home base.

Base Building

Between raids, players return to a persistent "Safe Zone" hub where they can build defensive structures, craft weapons, train new abilities, and recruit NPCs. The base can be attacked by Swarm invasions (PvE tower defense events) that occur every 48 real-world hours.

Weapons & Loadouts

ARK Raiders features 50+ weapons at launch (assault rifles, shotguns, snipers, energy weapons) and a deep crafting system. All gear degrades with use and must be repaired using scavenged materials. There is no PvP in the current build, making ARK Raiders purely cooperative.

The story takes place in 2054, 12 years after the Swarm—a biomechanical hive organism—emerged from underground caverns and overran 60% of Earth\'s surface. Governments collapsed, cities fell, and humanity retreated to fortified Safe Zones.

The ARK Initiative is a multinational coalition that trains elite scavengers ("Raiders") to venture into contaminated zones, recover lost technology, and gather intelligence on the Swarm\'s weaknesses. The ultimate goal: reclaim Earth and eliminate the Swarm\'s central hive intelligence.

ARK Raiders will launch on PC (Steam) and Xbox Series X|S as a free-to-play title. Nexon has confirmed cross-play between PC and Xbox. A PlayStation 5 version is under consideration but not confirmed.

The closed beta is scheduled for Q3 2026 (July-September), with invites distributed to players who sign up on the official ARK Raiders website. Full release is planned for 2027, though no specific quarter has been announced.

Nexon has stated ARK Raiders will use a "cosmetics-only" monetization model, with no pay-to-win mechanics. Players can purchase weapon skins, character outfits, and base decorations, but all gameplay-affecting gear must be earned through raids.

A Battle Pass system will offer seasonal cosmetic rewards and currency boosts. Nexon has committed to releasing all post-launch maps, biomes, and story expansions for free.

ARK Raiders competes in the crowded extraction shooter genre:

• Escape from Tarkov — The genre pioneer, hardcore PvPvE with full loot loss on death.
• Hunt: Showdown — PvPvE extraction shooter set in 1895 Louisiana, emphasis on atmosphere.
• The Cycle: Frontier — Free-to-play PvPvE extraction shooter (shut down in 2023 due to cheating).
• Marathon (Bungie, 2026) — Sci-fi extraction shooter with persistent world elements.

ARK Raiders differentiates itself by offering PvE-only gameplay (no player-vs-player combat) and deeper base-building mechanics than competitors. Its accessibility (no permadeath, free-to-play) targets a broader audience than hardcore Tarkov players.