After the very successful Arc Raiders beta, which managed to steal the spotlight from Bungie’s Marathon (if it had any to begin with), Embark is once again turning on the servers for the **Arc Raiders Server Slam**—an open beta event you won’t want to miss.
This is your final chance to jump into Embark’s extraction shooter before its official launch on **October 30**. Alongside gameplay, the Server Slam will also give you a preview of some brand-new content, including quests that will feature heavily in the full game.
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### Arc Raiders Server Slam: When to Play
The Arc Raiders Server Slam playtest begins on **Friday, October 17** and runs through **Sunday, October 19**, giving you the entire weekend to stress test the game for free. It will be available on PC (via Steam and Epic Games Store), PS5, and Xbox Series X|S.
Here’s when the Server Slam kicks off in your region:
– West Coast US: 6 AM PDT
– East Coast US: 9 AM EDT
– UK: 2 PM BST
– Europe: 3 PM CEST
– Australia: 12 AM AEDT (October 18)
– New Zealand: 1 AM NZST (October 18)
No sign-up or special access code is required—simply download the game and jump in when the servers go live. However, please note that there is no preload option, so you will need to wait until your region’s start time to download and play.
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### Server Slam Rewards
By participating in the Server Slam, you will automatically earn an exclusive **Server Slammer backpack cosmetic**. There’s no need to complete any difficult challenges to unlock it—it’s a simple participation reward.
This cosmetic will carry over into the full game after launch, but be aware that your progression during the Server Slam will **not**. So, while you can get a taste of the gameplay and features, you won’t be able to transfer any leveled-up stats or unlocks once the game officially launches.
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### What’s New in the Server Slam?
Compared to the earlier beta, the Server Slam adds exciting new content and features:
– **Map:** Play on the new **Dam Battlegrounds** map, which includes dynamic environmental challenges such as electromagnetic storms, night raids, and possibly even a terrifying visit from the Queen.
– **Progression & Crafting:** Access the same progression and crafting systems from the previous beta with some added content.
– **Quests:** Test out portions of the brand-new quest system, giving you a glimpse of the story-driven gameplay that the full release will offer.
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### Gameplay Features Available in Server Slam
– **Weapons & Gear:** You can experiment with early and mid-tier equipment. Some high-tier weapons and gear will remain locked until launch.
– **Blueprints:** Collect blueprints that allow you to craft and modify weapons and equipment. Although you can find all blueprints, crafting the highest-tier items won’t be possible during the test.
– **Raider Deck:** Try out the Raider Deck feature with access to one page of unlockable items.
– **Workshop:** Visit basic crafting stations, including Weapon, Equipment, and Medical stations. While you can craft items, upgrades to these stations won’t be available in this limited test.
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### Systems You Can See but Can’t Interact With
Although some in-game systems will be visible during the Server Slam, they will remain inaccessible during this playtest. This allows you to preview the scope of the game without full functionality.
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The Arc Raiders Server Slam is a fantastic opportunity to try the game’s new content, test out mechanics, and earn exclusive rewards before launch. Mark your calendar, prepare your gear, and get ready to dive into the action starting October 17!
Happy raiding!
https://www.pcgamer.com/games/fps/arc-raiders-server-slam-times-beta-release-date/
