I played last weekend arc raiders Almost solo queue only. And I’ve been having the best time of my life. It’s the first time since the early days of WOW that a game has captured my imagination. Although certainly in its early stages, this is a classic in the making.
The appeal of Ark Raiders is the player’s reaction to its beautifully drawn world. Extraction Shooter has a just and deserved reputation for brutality. But so far I don’t see that actually happening in solo-only runs.
At least two-thirds of the time, the player’s encounters are resolved and run smoothly. A simple expression of emotion, raising your hand and saying “don’t shoot” could very well lead to someone pointing a gun at you.
This is becoming a machine that creates magical moments for me. The feeling of quiet fear and hiding in cupboards when you hear gunshots has been replaced by a nervous feeling every time you hear another player’s voice. I went from being afraid of my own shadow to wanting to meet and interact with new friends.
I think this game works as a playable Rorschach test, which may be particularly off-putting to Brits. If there’s a secret of mine, it’s that I’m actually going to talk to other players. Crazy, I know.
As a nation, we Brits seem to avoid turning on our microphones when playing with strangers under almost all circumstances. This is not the case in other countries. When I compare notes with friends in America or Europe, I’m always amazed at how open they are to chatting online. It stems from a very specific national need to not actually say what we think.
Please let me tell you. As a British Speranza, if you really want to find friends and influence people, you have to talk. And we should probably talk first.
If I see another player, most of the time I’ll start the conversation. In addition to the emotional expression “please don’t shoot,” use spoken language to say, “Hello, I can see you, and I’m friendly.”
Or, if things have already started, you will hear a cry of “chill chill chill chill”. By doing so, the situation seems to diffuse instantly, even if the other person remains silent. I had a really nice moment relaxing by the elevator with my new temporary friend.
There have been a few times where I’ve been able to revive myself and get a reprieve by expressing my emotions or chatting after being knocked down. It turns out that even the most dangerous attackers feel guilty.
I tried to find out why this is. Why is this world easier to explore than Tarkov or The Hunt?
Partly, I think it’s a semi-blizzard version of Extraction Shooter. This is a polished, good looking, smooth game. It works well, works well, and is able to attract a more casual audience, perhaps a little less jaded than genre veterans. I think part of it is the arc itself. They are truly strange sights and create a sense of wonder.
But mainly, I think it’s the dynamics of solo queue. In this mode, there is no realistic chance of defeating the larger Arc creations. Everyone is equally vulnerable and equally at risk. And frankly, if we were to die, we probably wouldn’t have anything interesting enough to be worth fighting over. It changes the calculus of gunfights. A 75% chance of escaping with your belongings with a stranger is a better chance than a 30%-50% chance of winning a gunfight and getting extra bits, so it’s probably not worth getting involved. This creates a world where cooperation and community are more important than gun skills.
Lastly, I think I’m probably more sociable than most people. I’m not afraid to chat with new people and make friends. And that’s probably not you at the moment.
So if you’re having a hard time in solo queue, we have a message and a tip for you. Please turn on your microphone. Start a chat. Let’s put ourselves out there a little bit. In the worst case scenario, your voice could be heard by people you’ll never see again.
Turn on your microphone and start chatting, and we think you’ll get a lot out of this amazing game.
