Arc Raiders has been one of the standout extraction shooters of 2025, carrying a torch that bridges the gap between hardcore Tarkov enthusiasts and casual PlayStation players. But when Embark Studios announced its take on the most infamous wipe mechanic, one that’s deeply rooted in the core of extraction shooters, the community held its collective breath. It’s called the Expedition Project.
Arc Raiders Wipe Timing
Unlike traditional extraction shooters such as Escape from Tarkov and Delta Force, which force global progression resets, leaving casual and hardcore players equally disadvantaged, Arc Raiders‘ wipe system is a choice left to the player. The first Expedition window launched on December 17, 2025, with registration closing today, on December 22. Every eight weeks thereafter, players will face the same tough decision – wipe or hold steady.
Why is this a big deal?
The original grievance was a valid one. Forcibly wiping players of their gear penalizes casuals, who essentially have to reset months of progress at one moment’s notice. Embark’s system respects player choice. Those who opt to embark are rewarded permanently with an outfit called the Patchwork Raider, skill points determined by stash value given to a maximum of five, and a dozen more stash slots. Temporarily, players will receive a 10% repair bonus, a 5% XP boost, and a 6% material increase, all lasting until the next cycle.
Community analysis uncovers that the system is actually working in a “soft-forced” framework. Players who forgo wipes walk away with a competitive disadvantage of about 13% fewer skill points after three wipes-in PvP-centric extraction shooters. The science of today is the technology of tomorrow. Reception remains mixed. Some appreciate the choice, others chide that the coin-skill-point conversion was delivered too abruptly.