ARC Raiders was the top-performing Steam game in November 2025, selling 3.5 million copies and surpassing major titles like Counter-Strike 2, Battlefield 6, and PUBG. Across all platforms, the game has now sold 7.7 million copies, generating over $250 million in revenue. Current projections suggest the game could reach 8 million total copies sold by the end of this week and possibly 10 million by the end of the year.
Daily player counts have remained strong, averaging 1.5 million over the weekend, only slightly below the 1.6 million peak observed on November 16. The success of ARC Raiders is largely attributed to the developer Embark’s decision to move away from a free-to-play model.
By offering a paid experience, the game avoids heavy grind systems and progression timers common in free-to-play shooters, creating a more balanced and rewarding experience for players. This approach, combined with accessible gameplay that allows varied strategies and free loadouts after losing gear, has made the game appealing to both casual and competitive players.
Gameplay Mechanics and Player Engagement
ARC Raiders encourages cooperation through its mission design and in-game systems. Many challenges are easier to complete with other players, and non-verbal communication options such as pings and emotes facilitate coordination even without a microphone.
This has led to an unusually high proportion of players using voice chat, reinforcing social gameplay. Audio design is another standout feature, with former DICE team members contributing to realistic weapon, environment, and enemy sounds, which play a critical role in both immersion and strategy. Combat relies on organic cues rather than traditional UI indicators, allowing players to engage with encounters more intuitively.
Indie Games Make Strong Showing
While ARC Raiders led in revenue and copies sold, indie games accounted for much of the rest of the November top rankings. RV There Yet?, a chaotic co-op title focused on navigating a rickety RV through dangerous terrain, sold 1.1 million copies. Its combination of low price, streamer exposure, and humorous gameplay contributed to its rapid adoption.
PEAK, a cooperative climbing game, sold 1.4 million copies in November, bringing its total to 14.8 million. The spike in sales was driven by a temporary price drop and a content update. Dispatch, which blends narrative-driven gameplay with strategic minigame elements, also sold 1.1 million copies, with episodic weekly updates helping maintain visibility and player engagement.
Escape from Duckov sold 1.1 million copies, with more than 65% of its sales coming from China. The title’s strong regional pricing and familiarity with Chinese audiences contributed to this performance. Notably, Duckov has outperformed the Steam release of Escape from Tarkov, generating $38 million compared to Tarkov’s $14 million in the same period.
Market Trends and Competitive Impact
The extraction shooter market is increasingly competitive. New titles such as Delta Force (free-to-play) and ARC Raiders ($40) have created strong alternatives to older games. Escape from Tarkov’s Steam release underperformed relative to expectations, partly because many long-time fans already owned the game on its dedicated launcher. The success of paid indie and mid-tier titles in November highlights a trend toward smaller, agile developers achieving strong sales through niche gameplay, pricing strategies, and streamer visibility.
Source: Alinea Analytics
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Which game was the top-selling Steam title in November 2025?
ARC Raiders led November Steam sales with 3.5 million copies sold and the highest revenue among all games.
How did indie games perform on Steam in November?
Indie games such as RV There Yet?, PEAK, Dispatch, and Escape from Duckov sold over a million copies each, showing strong performance across co-op, narrative, and strategy genres.
Why did ARC Raiders succeed compared to free-to-play shooters?
ARC Raiders adopted a paid model, avoiding predatory grind mechanics. It also offers versatile gameplay, cooperative incentives, and a strong audio-visual design, which contributed to both high sales and player retention.
How did Escape from Duckov compare to Escape from Tarkov?
Escape from Duckov sold nearly 3 million copies within 17 days, generating $38 million in revenue. The Steam release of Tarkov sold 400,000 copies and $14 million over the same period. Regional pricing and audience familiarity helped Duckov outperform Tarkov.
Are there trends for Steam sales in 2026?
Smaller co-op and indie games with low prices, streamer visibility, and regular updates are expected to continue performing well, with larger studios likely exploring similar approaches.
