What Is an Extraction Shooter? – Genre Explained

What Is an Extraction Shooter?

An extraction shooter is a multiplayer game genre where players deploy into a map, collect valuable loot, and must successfully extract (leave the map) to keep their findings. If you die before extracting, you lose everything you collected that run.

Key Features

• High-stakes looting: Everything you find can be lost on death
• PvPvE: Fight AI enemies AND other players simultaneously
• Extraction mechanic: Reach a specific point to “bank” your loot
• Persistent progression: Unlocks and base upgrades carry between runs
• Risk/reward: Stay longer for more loot, but risk dying and losing everything

Arc Raiders as an Extraction Shooter

Arc Raiders is a third-person extraction shooter featuring:

• 8 expedition zones of varying difficulty
• ARC robotic enemies as the PvE threat
• Optional PvP or PvE-only mode
• Deep skill system and crafting
• Crossplay across all platforms

New to the genre? Start with our beginner guide.