Arc Raiders - Launch Chaos with Server Queues, Lag and Crashes
October 30, 2025
Embark Studios, Nexon
PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X and Series S, GeForce Now, Microsoft Windows
I jumped into Arc Raiders full of optimism. A sleek sci-fi extraction shooter from Embark Studios? Count me in. The trailers looked slick, the gameplay felt promising, and the idea of looting mechanized threats on the desolate world of Speranza sounded exactly like the kind of co-op madness I live for. But playing it these past weeks, I’ve hit one glaring problem after another and that optimism has started to crack.
Arc Raider Server Overload Makes Queues a Nightmare
From day one, the servers couldn’t deal with the hype. Players are reporting 5–10 minute matchmaking waits, and in some rare (but painfully common) cases, up to 30 minutes in queue.
It’s ironic to call a co-op extraction shooter a “queue simulator,” but that’s exactly how I would describe it. Meanwhile, Embark seems to be scrambling to patch things. Their Discord acknowledged voice-chat and party system issues.
Latency & Desync, Action That Doesn’t Feel Immediate
One of the most frequent and maddening complaints I have is latency. The server tick rate is abysmal (around ~3 Hz), meaning client updates are painfully slow. This slows down everything, from gunfire to hit detection.
In practical terms, you shoot someone behind cover, they still take you out. Desync isn’t a minor annoyance; it’s a core technical flaw undermining the competitive backbone of the game.
Black Screen Crashes Are Ruining the Flow
On top of that, I’ve personally encountered random “black screen” crashes mid-extraction. This isn’t rare and my PC doesn’t overheat, and drivers are up to date, but still, the game randomly disconnects, forcing me to reboot.
That feeling of “okay, round over before it began” wrecks immersion.
For a game built around tense, high-stakes raids? That’s not something you can just laugh off.
The Arc Raiders Graphical Downgrade for Performance
Some veteran raiders have noted a drop in visual fidelity. According to devs, lighting and shading were intentionally dialled back to boost performance on mid-tier hardware. But for many of us, it still feels like a compromise, especially when the original Server Slam looked sharper.
In an extraction shooter, every detail matters, from the glint on a robot’s armor to the distant horizon. When visuals feel muted, that sense of wonder starts to fade.
Cheaters, Compensation, and Trust Issues
On top of all that? Loot-stealing cheaters. Yes, I have had my hard-earned gear taken unfairly. Embark responded with a system called “Abnormal Match Compensation,” restoring stolen items automatically.
It’s a decent gesture. But it makes me wonder, how tight is the anti-cheat really, and can trust ever fully return if people feel vulnerable to exploitation?
Here is a great video by ExpBee that could help with some of those desync issues.
Arc Raiders Balance Not Everyone’s on the Same Page
Then there’s the Arc power balance debate. I feel like certain Arcs are overpowered but I could just be bad at the game. Look, I get both sides and in my own matches, sometimes I am outgunned. But it stings when folks call for massive nerfs instead of understanding the learning curve.
Arc Raiders Backlash
Part of the backlash feels driven by streamer culture. Some high-profile creators hype the game for a week, then vanish, taking their “what the game should be” opinions with them. Meanwhile, more grounded fans are stuck trying to complete raids while the devs play catch-up.
If you enjoy breakdowns of ambitious shooters that stumble at launch, check out my post on Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2 for a look at how legacy expectations collide with reality.
To track the latest updates and patch notes, visit the official Arc Raiders community hub on Embark Studios’ website.
So, how melty is it?
Early Launch Hype: 7/10
The visuals, the weapons, the promise, Arc Raiders felt fresh and exciting.
Queue Storm Reality: 8/10
Long matchmaking, voice-chat issues, and login chaos hit hard and fast.
Technical Desync Breakdown: 9/10
Lag, crashes, desync… it’s one thing after another, and the flow just dies.
Patch Pressure – The Crucible: 10/10
This is a game begging for stabilization. Every minute of downtime is a brand-builder or breaker.
Total Melt Score: 8.5/10
So much promise, but the execution is doing cartwheels under pressure.
What I Hope Embark Fixes
- Server Capacity & Stability: First and foremost to reduce queue times, improve matchmaking, and fix the party and voice systems.
- Netcode Upgrade: Raise the tick rate. Desync kills the competitive spirit.
- Crash Logging / Stability: Prioritise black screen bug fixes so raids don’t crash-event your hardware.
- Graphics Tuning Options: Restore some visual fidelity where possible, without tanking performance.
- Anti-Cheat Strength: Expand the system so cheaters are discouraged and looters are properly penalised.
If Embark nails these, Arc Raiders can be the great extraction co-op shooter it was supposed to be. But right now? It’s plain broken.
