Arc Raiders briefly overtakes Battlefield 6's concurrent player count on Steam as it proves to be one of the hottest PC games this fall

Arc Raiders briefly overtakes Battlefield 6’s concurrent player count on Steam

Not long ago, extraction shooters were seen as a niche genre. Having played a few, I found them mostly relentless and punishing—experiences that only the most dedicated players could enjoy. But Arc Raiders seems to have broken through that barrier, reaching a broader audience while keeping its challenge intact.

According to SteamDB, the game reached a peak of more than 354,000 concurrent players on Friday night—a remarkable figure for a title that launched just over a week ago. For a brief period, it even surpassed Battlefield 6, which had around 318,000 players early Saturday morning, while Arc Raiders climbed past 329,000.

Though it’s far from matching the long-running shooter’s peak numbers, Arc Raiders has built an impressive and steady following in its first week. Seeing such a new game approach the popularity of a series with decades of legacy is a rare and encouraging event for PC gaming.

What’s driving the success

Arc Raiders offers a smooth technical performance and moderate hardware requirements, similar to Battlefield 6. That accessibility, combined with its engaging gameplay loop, has helped it capture attention in a busy fall release window.

“Arc Raiders has successfully bridged the gap between the sickos and the rest of us.”

This blend of broad appeal and serious challenge may be the key to its early rise.

Author’s Summary

Arc Raiders’ strong Steam debut and balanced design have drawn a wide audience, marking it as one of the standout PC shooter releases of the fall season.

PC Gamer — 2025-11-08