Arc Raiders Makes Progression Wipes Optional As Studio Puts Players' Time First

"One gameplay staple of extraction shooters is the regular "wipe" that resets everyone's in-game progress back to square one. Arc Raiders developer Embark Studios knows that this system can be controversial, and to keep things fair, the studio aims to make wipes a voluntary feature of the game through its Expedition Projects. Players will unlock an Expedition Project at level 20."

"Each Expedition cycle runs for roughly eight weeks and players will contribute toward overall progress. Once the Expedition is complete, they'll have the option to reset their progress and lose all gained levels, skills, and their inventory, while their cosmetics and achievements will remain. Players who do not complete an Expedition can instead carry their progress over to the next cycle."

"Design director Virgil added that players who gain these benefits will not have a power or combat advantage over anyone who has not completed a reset. It's all about bragging rights, as expressed through the cosmetics they'll earn. "It's not a silver bullet, and [it] won't achieve the clean break that a mandatory global reset does, but it does aim to be more equitable to all players. Wherever possible, we want to value your time spent in the game as much as you do,""

Expedition Projects unlock at level 20 and run in roughly eight-week cycles during which players contribute to overall progress. Upon Expedition completion, players can choose to reset their progress, losing levels, skills, and inventory while retaining cosmetics and achievements. Players who do not complete an Expedition may carry progress into the next cycle. Completed resets grant unique cosmetic rewards, permanent account unlocks, and buffs that apply for the following Expedition cycle but do not confer combat power advantages. Participation in a Server Slam Open Test from October 17-19 grants an exclusive backpack cosmetic; Arc Raiders launches October 30 on PC and consoles.

Read at GameSpot