Arc Raiders: Global release times and preload information

One of the most anticipated titles of 2025 will arrive shortly. And while you’ll spend plenty of time returning to Topside, adventuring for loot, when can you actually play the game? The cross-platform, over-the-shoulder extraction looter/shooter arrives on October 30 globally, but we’ve got specifics on Arc Raiders’ release.

Below, we’ll look at Arc Raiders’ global release times, covering key regions. Plus, we’ll have a look at the preload options available across PC and console. Preloading is always sensible. If your Internet speeds are far better for playing games than downloading them. But first, here’s the high-value loot…err, release time information. 

Arc Raiders’ developer and publisher, Embark Studios, has confirmed the release time of the title ahead of time. On the Arc Raiders website, 9:30 AM UTC is confirmed as the release time on Steam, Epic Games Store, PlayStation Store, and Microsoft Store. Ignoring the vagaries of time zones, UTC is effectively GMT (UK). And from that, we have these times.

Unlike the launch of, say, Battlefield 6, Embark hasn’t provided specific regional Arc Raiders release times. However, we’ve converted the information we do have to the above regional times. We’ve also taken into account the UK’s recent shift from summer time and further variations to time zones globally.

While initially unclear, pre-load is confirmed as available. A post on X by user RoosterScrappy, showed that players pre-ordering Arc Raiders on PS5 would have an auto-download of game files activated on October 28. This was followed by a post (pictured below), showing a screenshot of Arc Raiders available for preload. 

With that being the case, both PS5 and Xbox Series X/S users have access to preload as you read this. You can preload the game by following the directions below, from pre-order to installation. Below the console information, we’ve provided PC preload information. So skip down if you’re a Steam or Epic Games Raider.

This writer pre-ordered on Steam and can confirm that PC preload is active. With a pre-order in place, my Steam library page for Arc Raiders offers the blue “Preload” option, showing a file size of just 32.66GB. For what it’s worth, that’s a compact size. It’s about the same size as Battlefield 6’s Season 1 update. Regardless, to preload Arc Raiders on Steam:

For an Epic Games pre-load, the sequence is virtually identical:

Arc Raiders has been confirmed to release at 9:30 UTC on Thursday, October 30. The time will depend on your region of the world, but it does convert to the same date across global time zones. For Raiders in the PDT time zone (eg, Los Angeles), expect a 2:30 launch. Meanwhile, Raiders in AEDT (eg, Sydney, Australia) can gain access at 20:30.

To preload Arc Raiders before the launch in your time zone, you will need to purchase Arc Raiders beforehand. Preload is live as of Tuesday, October 28, with Arc Raiders’ file size approximately 33GB. Make sure you have the required space; then you can get ready to lock in and start scavenging Topside as soon as Arc Raiders launches.