Many players have recently encountered the “in queue Arc Raiders” message while trying to access the highly anticipated cooperative shooter developed by Embark Studios. As the game continues to grow in popularity, server traffic has surged, especially following the recent open beta and early access events.
This message means players are temporarily placed in a waiting line before joining active matches — a system designed to manage heavy player load and maintain stable gameplay performance. With the title’s growing player base across multiple regions, the queue system has become a central part of the early experience for many users logging in during peak hours.
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Arc Raiders Overview
Developed by Embark Studios, Arc Raiders is a free-to-play, third-person cooperative shooter that combines science fiction combat with exploration, survival, and teamwork. Players join together to battle robotic enemies known as “The Arcs,” in a world that blends beautiful landscapes with dynamic, physics-based encounters.
The game gained major attention for its cinematic trailer and the creative vision of Embark Studios — a team founded by former DICE veterans who worked on the Battlefield franchise. After multiple development updates and testing phases, the title officially entered open access earlier this year.
Since then, the surge of player interest has occasionally resulted in queue delays as the servers adapt to increased demand.
Why Players See the “In Queue” Message
The “in queue” message in Arc Raiders typically appears when servers are at or near full capacity. This feature ensures the game remains stable rather than overloading servers, which could cause crashes, lag, or failed matchmaking attempts.
Here’s what happens behind the scenes:
- Server Load Balancing: When the number of active players reaches the limit, new users are placed in a virtual line until space becomes available.
- Matchmaking Preparation: The system organizes players into squads or sessions to ensure balanced team play before entering a mission.
- Maintenance or Updates: During short server maintenance periods or patches, the queue may appear even if there isn’t heavy traffic.
This mechanism helps preserve smooth gameplay for those already in active matches while giving waiting players an estimated entry time.
Queue Times and Player Reports
As of late November 2025, queue times in Arc Raiders can vary depending on region, platform, and time of day.
- During Peak Hours (Evening in the U.S. & Europe): Wait times can range from 5 to 20 minutes, with longer delays during major content updates.
- During Off-Peak Hours: Many players are able to connect almost instantly or within 2–3 minutes.
- Following Game Updates: Server restarts and content patches may temporarily increase queue durations as systems sync.
The development team has acknowledged these spikes and continues to optimize capacity across regions to minimize delays for players entering matchmaking.
How to Handle Queue Waits Efficiently
For players seeing the “in queue” message frequently, there are several effective ways to minimize delays and improve connection consistency:
- Check Server Status Before Logging In
Use the official Arc Raiders social channels or the game’s launcher dashboard to see if servers are undergoing maintenance. - Avoid Peak Traffic Hours
Logging in during early mornings or late afternoons often results in shorter queues, especially for U.S. servers. - Stay Logged In
Once connected, avoid signing out between matches if planning to play multiple sessions. Reconnecting during peak times can place players back in the queue. - Restart the Game Client If Stuck
Occasionally, the queue timer may freeze. Restarting the client can refresh the connection without losing your position if the issue is local.
These small adjustments can make the overall experience smoother, especially when large updates or new features bring more players online simultaneously.
Server Growth and Stability Improvements
Embark Studios has continued expanding server infrastructure throughout 2025 to meet rising demand. With Arc Raiders now available across multiple regions and platforms, the studio’s technical teams have implemented:
- Additional North American and European servers to reduce latency and wait times.
- Smarter matchmaking algorithms that distribute players more evenly between regions.
- Live performance monitoring to identify overloaded clusters and reallocate resources.
These upgrades have significantly improved overall connection stability since launch, though temporary queues still occur during updates or large-scale events.
Community Feedback and Developer Response
The Arc Raiders community has been vocal about queue issues, sharing real-time updates on platforms like Reddit, Discord, and X (formerly Twitter). While some frustration arises during longer waits, many players have expressed appreciation for Embark’s transparency.
The developers frequently communicate through social posts and in-game notifications when queue times are expected to increase. Recent updates have also reduced queue frequency by improving matchmaking speed and expanding regional server coverage.
Embark has emphasized that these temporary waits are a sign of growing player engagement — a positive indicator for a live-service game still in its early development lifecycle.
Understanding Arc Raiders’ Matchmaking and Session Design
The queue system is also tied to the game’s matchmaking design. Unlike traditional shooters, Arc Raiders focuses on cooperative PvE missions that require well-balanced team compositions.
When a player enters the queue:
- The system searches for other available players with compatible mission progress and power levels.
- It then assigns them to an active or new instance, depending on population balance.
- Once a match is ready, the “in queue” message disappears, and players load directly into their mission hub or battlefield.
This structure ensures that gameplay remains cooperative and smooth, even as player numbers fluctuate throughout the day.
What Players Can Expect Next
The developers have confirmed ongoing work to enhance the overall multiplayer experience. Upcoming updates are expected to include:
- Improved Queue Estimation: Giving players more accurate wait-time predictions.
- Automatic Background Loading: Allowing players to explore menus or gear customization while waiting in queue.
- Expanded Regional Capacity: Adding new server hubs in Asia and South America to reduce global strain.
These updates will help streamline the login experience and make the queue system less disruptive for long-time and new players alike.
Arc Raiders’ Growing Popularity
The success of Arc Raiders stems from its balance of cooperative gameplay, stunning visual design, and community-driven updates. Its free-to-play model, paired with premium cosmetics and battle passes, has made it accessible to millions of players globally.
With the queue system reflecting growing demand, the game’s player base continues to expand. The combination of active development and community engagement positions Arc Raiders as one of the standout multiplayer titles of 2025.
The “in queue” message may be a temporary wait, but it’s also proof that Arc Raiders is capturing attention across the gaming world. Have you faced long waits or smooth logins lately? Share your experience below and stay tuned for the next wave of updates from Embark Studios.
