ARC Raiders
ARC Raiders
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MINIMUM AGE: 16
WHAT IS IT? ARC Raiders is an online multiplayer game set in a dangerous future world where players, known as Raiders, explore ruined environments to collect resources and try to escape safely. The gameplay centres on risk and decision-making: players must avoid lethal machines and may encounter other players who can either cooperate or compete, meaning progress can be lost if a mission fails. Designed to encourage strategy, caution and teamwork rather than constant combat, the game can be played solo or with friends and includes player-versus-player interaction. Built using modern game technology and available across PlayStation, Xbox and PC, ARC Raiders combines realistic visuals with high-stakes survival and social play, making it important for caregivers and professionals to understand its emphasis on risk, interaction and consequences. WHAT WE SAY: Treat with caution. ✅ POSITIVE THEMES
⚠️ KEY CONCERNS 🧑🤝🧑 Friends & Parties In ARC Raiders, players can add and play with friends across PC (Steam), PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S through cross-play. Friends can be added by entering an Embark ID or by sending requests to players recently encountered in a match. Players can also invite recent players directly into a squad without adding them as long-term friends. The Recent Players feature allows invitations and repeat play with strangers, this creates opportunities for ongoing contact beyond a single match. For younger players, caregivers and professionals should be aware of the potential risks linked to unsupervised social interaction, including pressure to continue playing, move communication elsewhere, or share personal information. Using privacy settings, discussing boundaries, and encouraging play with known friends can help reduce these risks. 💬 Communication ARC Raiders allows players to communicate using a ping system or voice chat. Voice chat can include proximity chat, meaning players may speak with nearby players outside their squad, including strangers, to cooperate or negotiate. The game also offers Raider Voice (beta), which lets players alter how their voice sounds to others. These features enable real-time contact with unknown players and may blur boundaries, especially for younger users. Caregivers and professionals should be aware of voice chat, proximity communication, and voice-altering tools, and encourage safe use, clear boundaries, and appropriate privacy settings. 🔞 Exposure to Inappropriate Content ARC Raiders contains violent themes, and sometimes mature language if used by other players. The game does not feature blood, injury, or explicit references to adult themes. 📱 Cyberbullying and Harassment Online interactions in ARC Raiders can lead to harassment, especially where players can communicate. Players may experience cyberbullying, racism, sexism, and other forms of verbal abuse. 🧑💻 Online Predators & Grooming ARC Raiders platform allows communication and friend requests, so parents should supervise account activity and restrict communication options for younger players. 🧠 Addiction & Mental Health The games are immersive and can encourage long play sessions, especially due to exploration and collecting in-game rewards. It’s important to set reasonable time limits and encourage breaks to prevent excessive gaming that might affect mental well-being. 💸In-Game Purchases ARC Raiders offers microtransactions for in-game items or advantages, leading to unexpected spending. |
🛡️SAFETY TIPS:
Reporting In ARC Raiders, players can report others directly through the in-game Social menu. From the Lobby, players open the Recent tab, select the player’s name, choose Report, pick a reason, add a brief description, and submit. Reporting through the game helps moderators review concerns quickly and take appropriate action. 📲Understand the game Familiarise yourself with the games features and how they work. Knowing how the game works will help you guide your child effectively. 💸Limit In-App Purchases You can set spending limits or disable in-app purchases on your device to avoid accidental or excessive spending. 🚨 Avoid Unofficial Downloads Stick to downloading the game from official sources to avoid malware, data breaches, or compromised versions. 📢 Underage Accounts This game might have an age restriction but it lacks a proper age verification process. Therefore, there’s little stopping users from faking their dates of birth or creating bogus profiles and targeting children and young people. 👥 Manage friend requests Teach your child only to accept friend requests from people they know in real life. 📷 Cover the Webcam When Not in Use Physically cover your camera when you're not ready to go live. Always be mindful of what’s visible in your background - it can reveal location clues. 🧠 Trust Your Instincts If something feels uncomfortable, it is uncomfortable. Leave the chat immediately and don’t engage with users who seem suspicious, aggressive, or inappropriate. 🖥️ Place Devices in Shared Spaces Keep internet-connected devices in living rooms or kitchens, not bedrooms. This makes risky behaviour less likely and easier to notice. 🙋♀️Conversations: Have open discussions with children and young people about the topics associated with online use - bullying, grooming, sexual and criminal exploitation, body image, as well as accessing support and how to report. 🚨 Know the Signs of Trouble Watch for behaviour changes—like anxiety, secrecy, mood swings, or suddenly deleting apps. These can signal something inappropriate happened online. FURTHER SUPPORT: For parents/ carers If you're worried about your child or need support call NSPCC helpline on 0808 800 5000. If you discover criminal content when online then report it directly to the police or the Internet Watch Foundation. If you're worried about online grooming or sexual behaviour online then report directly to the police or contact CEOP. For Children & young people if they're worried or want to talk, encourage them to contact Childline Online or call 0800 1111. Check out our Resource Centre for further information and useful online safety tips. 
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