When ARC Raiders was first announced, expectations soared. Developed by ex-DICE veterans at Embark Studios, the cooperative PvPvE shooter promised thrilling encounters in a dystopian sci-fi world where collaboration and tactical gameplay were key. However, since its soft launch, one problem has stood out like a neon sign over a glitching console: matchmaking. What was intended to be the seamless connective tissue between players has instead become a frustrating obstacle, limiting the experience and dampening early enthusiasm.
TL;DR
Matchmaking in ARC Raiders lacks reliability, often producing unbalanced lobbies, excessive wait times, and poor player distribution. These issues stem from a reliance on outdated matchmaking methods, underutilized player behavior data, and lack of cross-platform optimization. The fixes? Smarter matchmaking algorithms, regional server enhancements, and community-centric updates. Addressing these areas could quickly turn ARC Raiders’ matchmaking system from its weakest link into a standout feature.
What’s Wrong with ARC Raiders’ Matchmaking?
Matchmaking is the heartbeat of any online multiplayer game — when it fails, everything else suffers. In the case of ARC Raiders, several key problems have emerged that deeply impact the player experience.
1. Long Queue Times
One of the most common complaints is excessive wait times for finding a match. Players report queue times ranging from 5 to 20 minutes, even during peak hours. The game aims to populate matches strategically, but with a relatively limited early player base and a hesitant rollout, the matchmaking engine often struggles to fill games efficiently.
2. Unbalanced Player Composition
When matches finally start, player skill levels are frequently inconsistent. Newcomers are thrown into lobbies with experienced squads, leading to unbalanced firefights and discouraging gameplay. The lack of proper skill-based matchmaking (SBMM) means that the learning curve becomes not just steep but nearly vertical for some.
3. Limited Game Mode Flexibility
ARC Raiders offers a unique blend of cooperative and competitive gameplay, but its matchmaking system often separates like-minded players. Friends hoping to squad up and explore the world cooperatively are sometimes queued into PvP-dominant scenarios. The system doesn’t always respect mode preferences, leading to fractured sessions and unmet expectations.
4. Cross-Platform Optimization Issues
Although cross-platform play is technically available, matchmaking across consoles and PCs isn’t uniformly optimized. PC players often end up in separate pools or with significant latency issues when matched against or alongside console players — potentially a result of insufficient regional server distribution or poor netcode integration.
Image not found in postmetaRoot Causes Behind the Matchmaking Problems
To fix a broken system, we first need to understand what went awry. The matchmaking engine used by ARC Raiders suffers from a few fundamental flaws.
Outdated Algorithms
ARC Raiders appears to use a basic matchmaking algorithm that prioritizes game speed over player compatibility. While quick match-finding is typically a good thing, in ARC’s case it comes at the expense of gameplay balance. There’s little evidence the system prioritizes play style, in-game objectives, or complementary personas within squads — resulting in chaotic, and often ineffective, team compositions.
Server Infrastructure Weaknesses
Regional servers are under-distributed and sometimes overwhelmed. Many players note being matched with squad members halfway around the world, leading to lag spikes and voice communication breakdowns. A robust multiplayer game in 2024 must lean on a responsive, scalable backend — an area ARC Raiders is still catching up in.
Neglect of Queue Filtering Options
Players love autonomy in how they engage, but ARC Raiders gives them few options. There’s no granular filtering that would allow players to specify region, role preference, or gameplay style. This lack of customization forces everyone into one-size-fits-all queues, which simply don’t fit many.
Early Player Dropoff Compounding the Problem
As matchmaking issues persist, frustrated players begin to drop out. This thins the player pool and exacerbates the existing problems — longer queues, decreased quality, and rising anxiety within the community. Without intervention, this becomes a vicious cycle pulling the whole multiplayer experience down with it.
How ARC Raiders Can Fix Its Matchmaking Woes
Thankfully, none of these problems are fatal. Many games have launched with fickle matchmaking systems, only to bounce back stronger through smart fixes and community engagement. Here are the most promising remedies for ARC Raiders’ matchmaking system:
1. Implement Smart Matchmaking Algorithms
The first step is upgrading the matchmaking logic. That means incorporating metrics beyond rank or queue time. Modern matchmaking systems include:
- Play style tagging (aggressive, support-focused, defensive, etc.)
- Account progression and performance accuracy
- Behavioral patterns (completion rate, communication frequency, etc.)
This added complexity would produce better-fitting squads and more satisfying match outcomes.
2. Expand Server Infrastructure
Regional server coverage must be improved. Matchmaking quality tends to degrade when connections cross continents. By adding more servers in underrepresented areas (e.g., South America, Southeast Asia), developers can drastically reduce latency issues and align local players together for faster, fairer games.
3. Queue Preferences and Player Control
Introduce filters that let players set preferences like:
- Region/Server
- Game Mode (PvE, PvP, Mixed)
- Role or loadout emphasis
Custom queue selection makes the waiting process more tolerable and builds trust in the system. Destiny 2 and Warframe are great examples of games that shifted toward a more player-driven matchmaking experience.
4. Cross-Platform Calibration & Testing
A lot of latency and balance issues arise from mismatched hardware capabilities between platforms. By improving the calibration between cross-play participants and enabling optional cross/console-specific matchmaking, ARC Raiders can deliver a more level playing field. Early stress test weekends and consistent patch tuning will also help identify weak points.
5. Community Transparency & Feedback Loops
Perhaps the most critical fix is clear and regular communication from Embark Studios. Developers should:
- Publicize matchmaking improvement timelines
- Include patch notes with detailed changes to algorithms
- Use community polls to prioritize the next fixes
When developers loop their community into the process, trust compounds. The community becomes a valuable tool rather than a skeptical audience.
Final Thoughts
ARC Raiders still has a ton of potential. Visually stunning and conceptually ambitious, this sci-fi shooter could become one of the staples of co-op and PvPvE gaming in the coming years. But for that to happen, it needs to prioritize its matchmaking overhaul immediately. No matter how polished the graphics or how engaging the lore, players won’t stick around if the core gameplay feels inaccessible, frustrating, or unfair.
The bright side? Matchmaking is fixable. With some technical uplift, smarter algorithms, and community-aware policies, what is currently ARC’s weakest link could soon become a centerpiece of its success.