Planning to Grab ARC Raiders? Here’s When a $5 Cut Actually Makes Sense
ARC Raiders has barely caught its breath after launch and it’s already getting a small but tempting markdown. If you’ve been watching the buzz but holding off, Fanatical currently shaves $5 off both the Standard and Deluxe editions. That puts the Standard around $34.39 and the Deluxe near $52.79, compared to their list prices of $39.99 and $59.99 respectively. It’s not a doorbuster, but for a brand-new extraction shooter that’s surging in popularity, the timing is smart—and for the right buyer, the math checks out. Game Rant+1
What exactly is on sale—and where?
This discount is specifically on Fanatical, an authorized PC storefront that provides official keys (most buyers redeem on Steam). The deal page has been appearing and reappearing in recent days; when active, you’ll see the prices reflected directly on the product page. If the widget shows MSRP, check back later—Fanatical rotates offers. Fanatical+1
Standard Edition: ~$34.39 (list $39.99)
Deluxe Edition: ~$52.79 (list $59.99) Game Rant
Tip: If you stack a site-wide coupon or loyalty credit when available, your out-of-pocket can dip slightly lower—just make sure you’re not adding a third-party key from an unauthorized marketplace in pursuit of a few extra dollars. Fanatical is authorized; many gray-market resellers are not. IsThereAnyDeal
Why buy now instead of waiting for a deeper cut?
Two reasons: momentum and value curve.
Momentum: ARC Raiders is exploding. The game has already crossed 700,000 concurrent players across platforms and hit an all-time Steam peak above 460,000—staggering for a new paid IP. Healthy concurrency often translates into faster patches, livelier matchmaking, and more aggressive live-ops support in the first months. GamesRadar++1
Value curve: New releases rarely get huge official discounts in the first weeks unless performance sputters. A clean, authorized $5 cut this early suggests confidence: the publisher doesn’t need to dump price to drive adoption, but a nudge expands the funnel. If you want in while the meta’s still forming and population is sky-high, this is a reasonable entry point. Game Rant
Standard vs. Deluxe: which one is worth it?
Unless you’re already sunk into the ARC Raiders ecosystem, Standard is the safer buy. Deluxe bundles typically pack cosmetics or booster-style perks that don’t impact core value if you’re still testing the waters. Saving the extra cash now and upgrading later—if an upgrade path appears—keeps your risk low. (Check Fanatical’s listing details before purchase; edition contents can vary by region and promo.) Fanatical
Quick refresher: what is ARC Raiders?
Developed by Embark Studios (the team includes ex-Battlefield talent), ARC Raiders is a third-person PvPvE extraction shooter set on a hostile future Earth overrun by mechanized threats. You can drop solo or in small squads, scavenge, fight AI and rival players, and extract with your haul. The game officially launched on October 30, 2025 on PC (Steam/Epic) and consoles, with a base price of $39.99 for Standard and $59.99 for Deluxe. Steam Store+1
The first week wasn’t just loud; it was record-setting, with Steam concurrency peaking in the hundreds of thousands and total cross-platform peaks breaking the 700K mark. That momentum has pushed ARC Raiders into the top echelon of live multiplayer launches this year, beating expectations for a paid extraction shooter. SteamDB+1
How “small” is a $5 discount on a $40 game?
On paper, it’s ~12–14%, which is modest. In practice, that’s often the first official dip we see on premium launches: big enough to convert the fence-sitters, small enough not to undercut early adopters. Historical price trackers also show this Fanatical price point appearing as the current store low among authorized sellers—so you’re not leaving easy money on the table by buying it here versus elsewhere today. IsThereAnyDeal
Who should jump now (and who should wait)?
Buy now if:
You want to ride the launch meta when population and discovery are at their peak.
You plan to squad up soon and don’t want to miss that early learning window.
You value official keys and clear refund/support policies from authorized stores. IsThereAnyDeal
Wait if:
You’re backlog-heavy and don’t mind losing some day-one energy for a bigger seasonal discount.
You only care about Deluxe cosmetics and suspect a bundle or publisher event might slash it deeper later.
You’re price-sensitive and willing to monitor trackers for the next official drop. IsThereAnyDeal
A few buyer’s notes before you click “Purchase”
Region/Platform: Verify region locks and platform (Steam vs. Epic). Fanatical’s product page lists the platform and any restrictions. Fanatical
Server/state of play: Post-launch surges have caused server wobbles—Embark even handed out in-game currency as a goodwill gesture. That’s a good sign of responsiveness, but set expectations for a live service ramp. TechRadar
Refund policy: If you like consumer protections, authorized stores and platform holders are safer than gray-market keys—especially for brand-new titles. IsThereAnyDeal
Why ARC Raiders is catching fire (beyond the discount)
Playable fantasy: The tone—gritty sci-fi salvage ops against towering mechs—feels distinct in a PvPvE space dominated by realism or extraction-lite loops.
Readable skill ceiling: Movement, teamwork, and resource management are immediately legible; the “one more drop” rhythm lands fast.
Live-ops cadence: Early communication and launch-window compensation suggest Embark is watching telemetry closely and reacting, which is vital for trust in a paid online game. TechRadar
Bottom line
If you’ve been ARC-curious, Fanatical’s $5 cut is a clean, authorized way to jump in while the game is booming. It won’t feel like a Black Friday steal, but it does nudge the value equation in your favor at the most socially active moment of the game’s life. Grab Standard unless you already love the cosmetics path; keep an eye on bundles if you’re Deluxe-inclined. For everyone else, watch price trackers—ARC Raiders’ momentum suggests more promos will come, but for now, this is a fair early window to join the raid.