The Finals dev explains why their new game is no longer free-to-play

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The Finals dev explains why their new game is no longer free-to-play

As a long-time fan who has been following Embark Studios since their early days, I must admit that I am both intrigued and slightly disheartened by their recent announcement regarding Arc Raiders. On one hand, I’m excited about the opportunity to playtest this new game in October, and I can hardly contain my anticipation for its 2025 release. However, the news that it will no longer be free-to-play has left a bit of a sour taste in my mouth.

Embark Entertainment has many exciting projects lined up in the coming months. The upcoming season of “The Finals” is definitely moving forward with Season 4 slated for September, while they also plan to conduct play tests for Arc Raiders in October. Regrettably, despite much excitement around it, the developers of “The Finals” have recently announced that Arc Raiders will no longer be a free-to-play game as previously advertised.

1. After update 3.10.0, players can review the changes made to The Finals by Embark in the patch notes. However, following this update, some fans have expressed their displeasure due to the apparent removal of one of the game’s top gadgets, which they refer to as being “eliminated”. Moving forward beyond Season 3, Embark has hinted at exciting new features that they are eager to reveal, and we can anticipate a fresh customization option for character classes.

2024 and the following year will see continued support for the Finals. Yet, it’s worth noting that Embark is on the verge of releasing another multiplayer game, titled Arc Raiders. In contrast to their previous games, this one will carry a premium fee instead of being free-to-play.

The Finals dev explains why Arc Raider is no longer free-to-play

I was thrilled to attend Gamescom 2024’s Opening Night Live event, where unfortunately there was no mention of The Finals, but the excitement didn’t end there! They brought Arc Raiders back from the brink with an announcement about play tests scheduled for October. On top of revealing these play tests, they also shared some exciting news – Arc Raiders won’t be a free-to-play game when it launches in 2025. I can hardly wait to get my hands on this action-packed adventure!

At Gamescom, the game developer showcased a presentation for Arc Raiders, and according to Gamesradar, the executive producer, Aleksander Grondal, stated that a free-to-play model didn’t align with the game because there are various business strategies tailored for different genres of games.

As an ardent fan, I can share that one of Arc Raiders’ executive producers expressed their thoughts about our upcoming game. They mentioned that they observed a particular game and realized that it thrives better in a premium model rather than a free-to-play one. They further emphasized that this decision not only benefits the business aspect but also aligns with what the developers on their team have been advocating for. They believe that this type of game is more suited to a premium model, which is exciting news for us fans!

Grondal further explained, “It’s crucial that free-to-play games find a delicate equilibrium between offering captivating content and encouraging purchases from players. By transitioning Arc Raiders to this model, we can devote more attention to the game’s engaging aspects and its development over time. This change allows us to tweak things differently in this game, potentially increasing rewards as it advances.”

Ultimately, the executive producer assured us that the decision regarding Arc Raiders doesn’t impact their other games. They’re striving to make the right choices for the game and its players, aiming for success and crafting an immersive experience. While some games thrive in a free-to-play model, they believe Arc Raiders will excel in a premium one.

2025 is when we can expect the launch of Arc Raiders, but the exact release date hasn’t been announced yet. We’re eagerly waiting to see what Embark Studios has been working on, and it won’t be long now – just a few months until we get to participate in play tests!

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2024-08-22 16:10