Caio Braga, Production Director for "Arc Raiders," recently revealed at the Game Developers Conference (GDC) that early playtesting uncovered an unexpected finding: "The Last of Us" players showed higher-than-anticipated satisfaction with the game's PvP experience. However, this same group also expressed a desire for less frequent PvP encounters, a discovery that has since influenced the game's design direction.
Braga explained that the team analyzed player data from tests to gauge different gaming demographics' reactions to PvP, categorizing players based on their preferred titles. The results indicated that players who typically favor PvP games, such as "PUBG: Battlegrounds," "Escape from Tarkov," and "Hunt: Showdown," were the most satisfied with "Arc Raiders'" PvP. Competitive shooter players from games like "Fortnite," "Call of Duty: Warzone," and "Counter-Strike" fell into the middle tier.
The biggest surprise for the team, however, came from players who lean towards story-driven and cooperative gameplay. This category included fans of "The Last of Us," "Helldivers II," "Destiny," "Elden Ring," and "Tom Clancy's The Division." While this group generally reported lower PvP satisfaction, Braga noted that "The Last of Us" players specifically gave higher ratings, which he found particularly striking.
Braga stated that he was surprised that "The Last of Us" players, along with other story-oriented players, genuinely enjoyed the game. He noted that they simply didn't want constant PvP, preferring it to occur at a specific frequency. Braga believes this player segment offers new design considerations and demonstrates the game's potential to appeal to a broader audience.
This observation also influenced "Arc Raiders'" positioning. Braga indicated that the team opted to define the title as an "extraction adventure game" rather than a mere extraction shooter. Their goal is to offer a more welcoming and diverse gameplay experience beyond just shooting mechanics, ensuring that various player types can find enjoyment, not solely focusing on PvP combat.
Braga also mentioned that during development, the team progressively recognized the vast differences in PvP preferences among various player groups. To accommodate these diverse players, they adjusted the matchmaking system to factor in players' inclinations toward PvP, making it easier for them to enter matches that align with their preferred playstyle.
via： GamesRadar+