Embark Studios designed their extraction shooter to bring everyone together into a massive, shared matchmaking pool right from launch day. Whether your friends are loading into the action on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, or PC via Steam and the Epic Games Store, the game has full cross-platform capabilities ready to go out of the box. Getting your squad coordinated requires navigating a few in-game systems, especially when it comes to managing your gear and ARC Raiders Items to ensure your squad survives the harsh environments.

Complete Guide to Crossplay Features and Pool Mechanics

By default, the cross-platform system is automatically turned on when you first boot up the game. This instantly merges all available platforms into one massive global queue, ensuring fast matchmaking times and active lobbies at all hours. However, it is important to realize that the game utilizes a single unified pool rather than separating players by input or device type.

There is currently no console-only matchmaking option available. If you choose to leave crossplay active while playing on a console, you will always be matched with and against PC players in the same lobby. For those who fluctuate between playing on a desktop and a home console, the game features support for Xbox Play Anywhere. This ensures that any progression you earn or purchases you make will seamlessly carry over between the Xbox ecosystem and PC without losing a single bit of your hard-earned progress.

Step by Step Instructions to Invite Your Friends

Grouping up with teammates who are playing on a completely different ecosystem is a straightforward process managed entirely through the integrated social system. You do not need to rely on third-party software or native console friend networks to bridge the gap.

To build your ultimate strike team, follow these simple steps inside the interface:

• Open the main dashboard and click on the Social/Friends menu option

• Locate and select the Add Friend button near the top of the interface

• Type in your teammate's specific Embark ID, making sure to include their exact username followed by the pound symbol and the four-digit numerical code

• Wait for them to accept the request, then click on their newly added name from your active list to send a direct squad invitation

How to Toggle Matchmaking Settings On and Off

While playing in a massive shared pool keeps match queues incredibly short, some players prefer a more curated experience. If you find yourself wanting to avoid the competitive tracking accuracy of PC mouse-and-keyboard setups, or if you simply want a pure console environment, you can opt out of the global pool entirely.

Adjusting this setting requires a brief trip into the main options menu:

• Head back to the main lobby interface and open up the Settings menu

• Click on the Gameplay tab located along the top navigation bar

• Scroll downward through the available options until you reach the Online section

• Locate the specific Crossplay toggle switch and change it to the Off position

Gear Up with U4N for Safer Extractions

Surviving the brutal encounters in this world requires a lot more than just a well-coordinated team; it demands top-tier equipment and high-quality gear. When the difficulty spikes, having an inventory stocked with the right tools can mean the difference between a successful extraction and losing everything.

If you want to bypass the repetitive grind and jump straight into the high-tier action with your newly formed cross-platform squad, you can buy ARC Raiders Items directly from a trusted marketplace. Utilizing the secure platform at U4N gives you immediate access to a wide variety of essential resources, weapons, and upgrade materials designed to give your squad a massive competitive edge during intense matches.