Arc Raiders Server Slam start times and what you'll be able to play

Arc Raiders Server Slam open beta: Key art for the game showing a character wearing makeshift armour and helmet, walking forward with a gun by their side. There are two more characters in the background overlayed by an orange and blue hue on the left and right respectively.

(Image credit: Embark)

After the very successful Arc Raiders beta stole the spotlight from Bungie's Marathon (if it had any to begin with), Embark is turning on the servers once again for the Arc Raiders Server Slam; it's effectively an open beta. This is your final chance to check out Embark's extraction shooter before it launches on October 30, so you don't want to miss it.

Plus, the Server Slam session also includes a look at some brand-new content, namely quests, that you'll see plenty more of in the full game. Below, I'll go over everything you need to know to join the Arc Raiders Server Slam.

Recent updates

The Arc Raiders Server Slam open beta is now available on all platforms.

Arc Raiders Server Slam times for your region

Server Slam | ARC Raiders - YouTube

Watch On

The Arc Raiders Server Slam playtest starts Friday, October 17 and runs until Sunday, October 19, giving you the weekend to stress test the game for free on PC (Steam and Epic), PS5, and Xbox Series X|S. More specifically, it starts at the following times based on 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)

The Server Slam ends on Sunday, October 19 at:

West Coast US: 8 am PDT
East Coast US: 11 am EDT
UK: 4 pm BST
Europe: 5 pm CEST
Australia: 2 am AEDT (October 20)
New Zealand: 3 am NZST (October 20)

You don't need to sign up or get a code to access the Arc Raiders open beta, so just go ahead and download it now—it's around 35gb on PC. Oddly, it's still a bit tricky to find right now, but you can download the Arc Raiders Server Slam on:

Steam: If you played the previous playtest, the Server Slam is actually considered an update to that original download, so check your library. If you're new, search for 'Arc Raiders - Playtest' on the store page, and if it doesn't appear for you yet, restart Steam. There have been a few issues accessing it on Steam, so if this is affecting you, try downloading it on Epic Games Store instead.
Epic Games: You can download it on Epic just by searching for 'Arc Raiders - Server Slam'.

Arc Raiders Server Slam rewards

Arc Raiders Server Slam playtest: An infographic showing off the Server Slammer backpack cosmetic you can earn from the open beta playtest. — (Image credit: Embark)

You'll actually be able to earn an exclusive Server Slammer backpack cosmetic just for participating in the Server Slam session—no unlock challenge or anything required. While this reward will automatically unlock and carry over to the full game after launch, any progression you make during the Server Slam session will not, so don't grind too hard.

Arc Raiders Server Slam content

The Server Slam adds some new content compared to the previous beta. You'll be able to play the Dam Battlegrounds map and have access to the same progression and crafting systems, but you can also test out portions of the quest system. Plus, this map also includes some special conditions like electromagnetic storms, night raids, and "perhaps even a visit from the Queen", which sounds horrifying.

Weapons and Gear: Early and mid-tier equipment will be available for you to experiment with, but some things will be locked until launch.
Blueprints: These expand your Raider’s ability to make and modify weapons and gear. All blueprints can be found, but those of the highest tier will not be craftable during the Server Slam.
Raider Deck: You’ll be able to test out the Raider Deck functionality with one page of items to unlock.
Workshop: Basic crafting stations (Weapon, Equipment, and Medical) are available, but upgrades aren’t possible for this limited test.

You'll be able to see the following systems in-game, but you won't actually have access to or be able to interact with them:

Projects (Expeditions): Long-term missions where a Raider leaves the Rust Belt permanently. Some progress resets, but key rewards and benefits carry over.
Trials: A proving ground for seasoned Raiders. Complete the challenge, return safely to Speranza, and vie for a place on the leaderboard. You’ll have to wait for launch to climb ranks and earn seasonal rewards.
Codex: A growing archive of your Raider’s accumulated knowledge. Here you will collect stories, people, and places as you progress deeper into the world.

Rory has made the fatal error of playing way too many live service games at once, and somehow still finding time for everything in between. Sure, he’s an expert at Destiny 2, Call of Duty, and more, but at what cost? He’s even sunk 1,000 hours into The Elder Scrolls Online over the years. At least he put all those hours spent grinding challenges to good use over the years as a freelancer and guides editor. In his spare time, he’s also an avid video creator, often breaking down the environmental design of his favourite games. If you can’t track him down, he’s probably lost in a cave with a bunch of dwarves shouting “rock and stone” to no end.

You must confirm your public display name before commenting

Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.