In a market dominated by free-to-play giants, one paid game has proven that premium experiences can still thrive. ARC Raiders, the extraction shooter from Embark Studios, entered 2026 as the best-selling game on Steam by revenue, dethroning Counter-Strike 2 for the top spot. For a genre that didn't even exist a few years ago, this is a remarkable achievement.
From Underdog to Steam Champion
ARC Raiders launched on October 30, 2025, and has shown impressive staying power ever since. By early 2026, it sat atop Steam's best-selling products list, beating out Valve's own Counter-Strike 2 (which ranked third, behind the Steam Deck hardware).
The game's success is even more notable given its pricing model. In a market where free-to-play shooters like Counter-Strike 2, Dota 2, and Apex Legends dominate player counts, ARC Raiders is a premium paid title—and it's still competing at the highest level.
The Numbers Behind the Rise
ARC Raiders' commercial performance speaks for itself:
- #1 best-selling game on Steam by revenue at the start of 2026
- 7.4 million copies sold in the first half of 2026, with nearly half in January alone
- 3.7 million monthly active users sustained after a peak of 10.7 million in January
- Top 5 most-played game on Steam, the first paid title on the daily players list
For context, ARC Raiders beat out Marvel Rivals, Baldur's Gate 3, and Battlefield 6 in revenue rankings.
What Makes ARC Raiders Different
A Fresh Take on Extraction Shooters
ARC Raiders is set in a retro-futuristic 1980s world where players squad up to scavenge for resources while battling both AI-controlled machines and rival player teams. Unlike hardcore extraction shooters like Escape from Tarkov, ARC Raiders has been praised for being more accessible while maintaining high stakes.
The game's PvPvE formula—where players must decide whether to cooperate or compete—creates tension that keeps matches unpredictable and engaging.
The Embark Studios Pedigree
Embark Studios was founded by Patrick Söderlund, former Chief Design Officer at EA, and the team includes veterans from DICE (Battlefield series). This pedigree shows in ARC Raiders' polished gunplay, impressive destruction physics, and strong live-service pipeline.
The Road Ahead
ARC Raiders' momentum shows no signs of slowing. With a stable player base, ongoing content updates, and a proven revenue model, Embark Studios has positioned itself as a major player in the live-service space. The game's success also validates the idea that premium paid live-service games can coexist—and thrive—alongside free-to-play titans.
For a studio's debut title, ARC Raiders has already achieved what many established franchises struggle to do: become the top-selling game on the world's biggest PC platform.