21 February 2026

“It’s Been Done to Death” ARC Raiders Director Comments on Possible Humanoid Enemies

By newsgame

ARC Raiders‘ game director, Virgil Watkins, has officially addressed the possibility of adding humanlike enemy types in the future, confirming that it is not currently part of the development team’s plans for many reasons. ARC Raiders has been selective when it comes to introducing new enemies, likely because PvE plays a central role in the gameplay, and Embark Studios does not want to disrupt the balance with rushed additions.

Despite the Swedish developer’s cautious approach, fans have continued to request a variety of new ARC types with each ARC Raiders update, ranging from mothership-style giant Rocketeers to smaller, Tick-like flying creatures. However, one of the most frequently discussed ideas is the addition of anthropomorphic or humanlike robots. Watkins has now shed light on whether the studio plans to introduce such enemies, and the answer may disappoint players hoping for a Terminator-esque presence in the game.

ARC Raiders Teases One Enemy Will Be Escaping Its Current Confines in 2026

ARC Raiders development studio is considering ways to “escalate” ARC enemies, including making a big change to one particular enemy type.

Humanoid Enemies Do Not Fit ARC Raiders Aesthetically, Game Director Says

In a recent interview with PC Gamer, ARC Raiders‘ game director, Virgil Watkins, confirmed that Embark Studios is not considering adding anthropomorphic ARC to the game, citing several reasons. For one, Watkins believes humanoid enemies would make players overly critical of the ARC’s movement, behavior, and actions, potentially creating situations where the game’s aesthetic could “fall apart.” He also noted that the visual differences between a human silhouette and a robot are crucial to ARC Raiders‘ PvP. “I really think the distinction between that silhouette being a player is pretty important,” he said.

We get a lot more interesting gameplay and freedom with making a platform that’s purpose-built.

Watkins also joked that Terminator-inspired humanoid enemies “have been done to death” in video games, adding that he is unsure what the studio’s ambition would be in redesigning them. “We get a lot more interesting gameplay and freedom with making a platform that’s purpose-built,” Watkins said, explaining why humanlike ARC are not on the developer’s agenda for now.

Fans Have Long Wondered About Humanoid ARC

Since ARC Raiders‘ early days, some fans have theorized about anthropomorphic enemies capable of luring players into dangerous zones by using the same voice lines as real players. Many believed this could add an extra layer of tension to PvP, especially in the game’s Care Bear lobbies, where players are more likely to trust fellow raiders after hearing a simple “Don’t shoot” cue.

Supporters of the idea also noted that the game already features Androids like Lance, robots capable of convincingly imitating humans. Lifeless Android bodies can also be found scattered across the Rust Belt in locations like Stella Montis, and some ARC Raiders quests even task players with searching for these defunct machines. From their perspective, introducing enemies similar to Lance fighting for the opposing side would not be much of a stretch.

Still, the majority of the player base has considered the idea unlikely. One of the defining aspects of ARC Raiders‘ enemy design is its focus on creatures that adapt to their environments, resembling animals or insects while maintaining the game’s cassette-futuristic aesthetic. A hostile Android, essentially a weaponized Lance-like unit, could undermine both elements of that design philosophy.

Although Watkins’ comments rule out humanoid enemies in the near future, that does not mean ARC Raiders‘ roster will stop expanding. The upcoming Shrouded Sky update is set to introduce a new hostile robot alongside the Hurricane map conditions. Some fans believe a recent teaser already offered a glimpse of this fast-moving ground ARC, though details remain unconfirmed. Luckily, players will not have to wait long for confirmation, as Shrouded Sky launches on February 24.

ARC Raiders‘ major update in March, Flashpoint, will introduce another ARC threat. Then, in April, the game is set to receive its next large ARC, expected to rival Matriarch and Queen in terms of size and threat level.