One of ARC Raiders’ standout qualities is its sense of immersion, achieved through its visuals, atmosphere, and audio design. Embark Studios focused on not just passive immersion but active engagement through gameplay by implementing a physics-based feedback system that eliminates the need for a traditional UI, thus immersing players more deeply in the game world.

Gameplay Dynamics

In ARC Raiders, players encounter not only opposing players but also various types of ARCs—machines intent on eliminating human trespassers. During these encounters, players receive clear, physics-based feedback, helping them understand their standing in a conflict.

Physics Over Traditional UI

The latest episode of The Evolution of ARC Raiders, a docuseries that tracks the game’s development, highlights why Embark chose a physics-centric design. Creative Director Stefan Strandberg discusses the rationale for this choice and reflects on building a game environment where immersion is prioritized without sacrificing accessibility.

“Allow the things in there to be real. That’s why we want to use gradual destruction on the drones. You shoot off a thruster and that disables its ability to fly. Of course, it does. It’s physics talking back to you, and there’s something fun to play with physics. You don’t need a health bar to tell you that,” Strandberg stated.

This sentiment underscores Embark’s design philosophy: players can rely on the game’s tangible feedback rather than UI indicators to make informed decisions in battle.

Emphasis on Player’s Senses

As stated by Strandberg, the design encourages players to trust their innate senses, interpreting kinetic feedback as crucial information. Everything from stagger animations to debris reactions is intended as a signal, reinforcing a feedback loop that keeps players engaged in the moment instead of fixated on a health bar.

ARC Raiders’ design philosophy promotes a clear communication of information through visual feedback, reflecting Embark’s goal to enhance iconic immersion while ensuring readability in gameplay without traditional UI elements.