Multiplayer shooters are becoming more accessible, with games like Arc Raiders and Marathon taking the genre's hardcore stylings and RPG progression from Escape From Tarkov to wider audiences. The focus on player-driven experiences is on the unpredictability of player encounters, while the integration of PvE and PvP is crucial. Both games emphasize PvE, with players forced to contend with AI-controlled enemies as often as other players. Arc Raiders' design director, Virgil Watkins, compared the game's evolution to classic stories of adventure like The Lord of the Rings. There has been an increasing focus on storytelling in successful multiplayer shooters, such as Helldivers 2 and Arc Raiders. The studios involved in these games also shared their priorities and creative interests.