Raising ARC Raiders age rating: what parents of kids 4–7 should know
ARC Raiders age rating: the ESRB rates the game T for Teen (13 and up) for blood and violence, with users interacting and in-game purchases, per the PlayStation Store listing. PEGI rates it 16 for strong, realistic violence toward human characters. It's an online shooter in which players meet strangers, and its proximity voice chat lets players talk to raiders outside their squad, per Embark Studios. We found no Common Sense Media review as of October 2026.
ARC Raiders at a glance
- ✓Official rating above age 7
ESRB: T for Teen; PEGI 16 - ✓Contact with other players or strangers
ESRB: Users Interact; proximity voice chat - ✓Purchases with real money
ESRB: In-Game Purchases; Raider Tokens - –Paid random items
None listed by ESRB or PEGI; not confirmed - ✓Violence or scary content in rating descriptors
ESRB: Violence, Blood; PEGI: strong violence - –Government lawsuits, fines, or safety warnings
None found
Each flag is a yes-or-no fact from the sources on this page. The number is a count of flags, not a safety score. How we count.
| Type | Online extraction shooter (2025) by Embark Studios for PC, PS5 and Xbox Series X|S source |
|---|---|
| US & Canada (ESRB) | T (Teen; may be suitable for ages 13 and up) — Blood, Violence; Users Interact, In-Game Purchases source |
| Europe & UK (PEGI) | 16 (not suitable for under 16) — strong, realistic violence toward human characters; bad language; in-game purchases source |
| Price and purchases | Lists at $39.99 on Steam (US), as of October 2026; Raider Tokens bought with real money for cosmetics and premium Raider Decks source |
| Voice chat | Party and proximity voice chat; proximity chat lets players talk to raiders outside their squad source |
| Common Sense Media | No review found as of October 2026 |
Checked October 2026. Ratings and settings change; check the official source before you decide. What do these ratings mean?
Facts for parents, not medical or legal advice. If you're worried about your child, talk to your pediatrician.
What is ARC Raiders?
ARC Raiders is a multiplayer extraction shooter developed and published by Embark Studios. It came out on October 30, 2025, for PC, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S, and lists at $39.99 on Steam (US), as of October 2026. Players go up to the surface of a ruined future Earth, collect loot while avoiding hostile robots called ARC, and try to get back to an underground city. They play solo or in squads of two or three, and other players' squads share each map.
ARC Raiders age rating: what's in it
Short answer: ESRB T for Teen in the US, PEGI 16 in Europe and the UK.
- US & Canada (ESRB): T, blood and violence; users interact; in-game purchases.
- Europe & UK (PEGI): 16, strong violence; in-game purchases.
- Germany: we couldn't confirm a USK rating.
PEGI says players fight other players with firearms, explosives and melee weapons, and that large bloody mists appear when shots and strikes land. It also lists bad language, including "shit." The ESRB's parents' guide says some moments "may be a bit too intense at times for younger players."
Online play and voice chat
Short answer: Yes, players meet strangers from around the world, and they can talk by voice.
Embark's support page says voice chat is switched on in Settings > Audio > Voice Chat, with open-mic or push-to-talk modes, and that proximity voice chat lets players talk to raiders outside their squad. The ESRB's parents' guide notes "the ability to communicate with strangers," says talking to strangers isn't required to play, and points to block, mute and report tools and console parental controls.
Purchases in ARC Raiders
Short answer: The game sells a premium currency, Raider Tokens, for cosmetics.
The ESRB's guide says Raider Tokens are bought with real money and spent on cosmetics and premium Raider Decks, "the game's version of a battle pass"; Coins and Cred are earned in play. PEGI says the game can be played without buying anything. Steam sells cosmetic sets for $19.99 to $29.99. Neither the ESRB nor PEGI lists paid random items, and we couldn't confirm Raider Token pack prices.
The habit kids may copy: friend or loot?
Other players' squads share each map, and Embark's support page says proximity chat lets players persuade other raiders to become allies.
Try tonight: two roads
During play, stop on one small moment, like a sibling grabbing a toy. Ask: "What are two things you could do right now?" Name both, then let your child pick one. In our program, this is the lesson "Two Roads": noticing that there's a choice.
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FAQ
What age is ARC Raiders for?
The ESRB rates it T for Teen (13 and up), and PEGI rates it 16. We found no Common Sense Media review as of October 2026.
Does ARC Raiders have voice chat with strangers?
Yes. Embark says proximity voice chat lets players talk to raiders outside their squad, and the ESRB lists Users Interact.
Does ARC Raiders have in-game purchases?
Yes. Raider Tokens are bought with real money for cosmetics and premium Raider Decks; PEGI says the game can be played without them.
Why is ARC Raiders PEGI 16?
PEGI cites strong, realistic violence toward human characters, with bloody mists when shots and melee strikes land.
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