Arc Raiders is not included in PlayStation Plus at any tier

Arc Raiders is a free-to-play cooperative shooter made by Embark Studios. It is not part of PlayStation Plus Extra, PlayStation Plus Premium, or PlayStation Plus Essential — you do not need a subscription to read or play it on PlayStation 5.

Because Arc Raiders is free-to-play, Sony does not bundle it into the subscription service. You can read it directly from the PlayStation Store without paying for PlayStation Plus membership. The game does require an active internet connection to play, but that is a requirement of the game itself, not the subscription. This is how Sony handles all free-to-play titles on PlayStation 5: they remain outside the subscription tiers because they are already available to everyone at no cost.

Key Takeaways

  • Arc Raiders is free-to-play and available on PlayStation 5 without a PlayStation Plus subscription of any kind.
  • You read it directly from the PlayStation Store by searching for the game title and selecting the read button.
  • PlayStation Plus membership is not required to play Arc Raiders, though you do need an active internet connection and a PlayStation Network account.
  • The game is also available on PC through Steam, where it is similarly free to read and play, but your progress does not carry between platforms.
  • In-game cosmetics and battle passes cost money, but you can play the entire game without spending anything beyond the free read.

How to read Arc Raiders on PlayStation 5

Open the PlayStation Store on your PS5. Search for "Arc Raiders" in the search bar at the top of the screen. Select the game from the results and choose the "read" button — it will say "read" rather than "Buy" because the game is free.

The read will begin when ready and add the game to your library. You can start playing once the read finishes. No PlayStation Plus subscription is needed for this step or for playing the game itself. The entire process takes only a few minutes, depending on your internet speed and how much storage space is available on your console.

If you have multiple user accounts on your PS5, each person can read Arc Raiders to their own profile. They will each need their own PlayStation Network account, but none of them will need PlayStation Plus to play.

What Arc Raiders costs and what you can spend money on

Downloading and playing Arc Raiders costs nothing. The game makes money through cosmetics — skins, weapon appearances, and battle passes — that change how your character or weapons look but do not make you stronger or give you any gameplay advantage.

You can play the entire game without spending money. The cosmetics are optional, and players who buy them have no advantage over players who do not. If you choose to buy cosmetics, you use PlayStation Store credit or a payment method linked to your account, the same way you would buy any other game or in-game item. The battle pass typically costs between 10 and 15 dollars and unlocks cosmetics over time as you play.

Internet and account requirements

Arc Raiders requires a PlayStation Network account and an active internet connection. You must be online to play — the game does not have an offline mode or single-player campaign. This is true whether or not you have PlayStation Plus. Your PSN account is free to create if you do not already have one.

If you share your PS5 with other people, they can read Arc Raiders on the same console and play it on their own accounts. Each person needs their own PSN account, but none of them need PlayStation Plus to play the game. This makes Arc Raiders a good option for households with multiple players who do not all have subscriptions.

Where else you can play Arc Raiders

Arc Raiders is also available on PC through Steam. It is free-to-play on Steam as well, with the same cosmetics shop and no subscription required. Your progress does not carry over between PlayStation and PC — they are separate accounts with separate cosmetics and progress.

The game is not available on PlayStation 4, Xbox, or Nintendo Switch. If you want to play it on console, PlayStation 5 is currently your only option. Embark Studios has not announced plans to bring the game to other platforms.

PlayStation Plus tiers explained

PlayStation Plus Essential is the base tier and costs the least. It includes online multiplayer for games that require it, cloud saves for your game progress, and a small monthly selection of games you can read and keep as long as you stay subscribed.

PlayStation Plus Extra adds a larger library of PS4 and PS5 games that you can read and play. PlayStation Plus Premium adds older PlayStation games from previous console generations and game trials that let you play new releases for a limited time. Arc Raiders is not in any of these libraries because it is free-to-play — Sony does not need to include it in a subscription when it is already free to everyone.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need PlayStation Plus to play Arc Raiders?

No. Arc Raiders is free-to-play, so you can read and play it without any PlayStation Plus subscription. You do need a PlayStation Network account and an active internet connection to play.

Will Arc Raiders ever be added to PlayStation Plus?

It is unlikely. Free-to-play games are not typically added to subscription services because they are already free to everyone. Sony includes paid games in PlayStation Plus to add value to the subscription, but free-to-play titles do not need that boost.

Can I play Arc Raiders offline?

No. Arc Raiders requires an active internet connection at all times. The game does not have a single-player or offline mode, so you must be online to play.

If I stop paying for PlayStation Plus, can I still play Arc Raiders?

Yes. Because Arc Raiders does not require PlayStation Plus, your ability to play it does not change if your subscription ends. You can keep playing as long as you have a PSN account and internet connection.

Is Arc Raiders the same game on PlayStation 5 and PC?

It is the same game with the same gameplay and cosmetics shop, but your accounts are separate. Progress, cosmetics, and friends lists do not carry over between PlayStation and Steam.