February Update 1.15.0 Brings Enhanced PvPvE in ARC Raiders

Embark Studios, a Stockholm-based video game developer founded in November 2018 by industry veterans including Patrick Söderlund (former DICE CEO and Battlefield architect), Magnus Nordin, Rob Runesson, Stefan Strandberg, Jenny Huldschiner, and Johan..., aims to bridge indie innovation with AAA ambition, fostering curiosity-driven breakthroughs in gaming.[1][2][4] Emerging from Sweden's "shooter hub," the studio quickly scaled, hiring over 50 staff by early 2019 and occupying a quirky headquarters to fuel creative energy.[2] From inception, Embark challenged industry stagnation—dominated by safe sequels—by asking "**what if**" to spark surprise and discovery.[1] Early projects teased cooperative sci-fi experiences, evolving into tools empowering non-experts to create via open-source Blender integrations and one-click photogrammetry for game assets.[2][5] Key titles include **THE FINALS**, a "Dynamism Shooter" blending high-octane co-op FPS action with destructible environments, which gained buzz through epic trailers and open betas.[2][5] Its successor, **ARC Raiders**, a PvPvE extraction shooter set in a dystopian Rust Belt, overcame turbulent development to achieve a record-breaking launch on October 30, 2025, following Server Slam tests.[3][5] A pivotal achievement came in 2023 when Nexon acquired Embark, initially met with skepticism but now hailed as a masterstroke; the studio became a "tentpole" for Nexon's live-service expertise (e.g., MapleStory), sharing proprietary tech and talent across portfolios.[3] This partnership amplified ARC Raiders' success, blending Embark's systems-driven tech with Nexon's sustainment prowess.[3] Today, Embark thrives as a Nexon subsidiary, actively supporting **THE FINALS** with events like Steal The Spotlight and Winter Holiday modes, while pre-orders surge for ARC Raiders Delux

The Game Awards is an annual, global awards show that recognizes creative and technical excellence in video games while also serving as a major platform for industry news, premieres, and cultural visibility. Founded and produced by journalist Geoff Keighley in 2014, the organization stages a televised and livestreamed ceremony that combines competitive awards (decided by a media jury and public voting), world-premiere game trailers, developer spotlights, celebrity appearances, and performances to spotlight the medium’s commercial and artistic achievements[1][2]. Historically, The Game Awards grew from Keighley’s long-form game journalism and event production background into what organizers describe as gaming’s flagship awards and promotional showcase; it assembled an advisory board of studio and platform executives to guide mission (without selecting winners) and expanded its global jury to include dozens of outlets[1][2]. Over the years the show has scaled its livestream audience—hitting record viewership milestones—and become a key calendar moment for publishers to debut trailers, updates, and release dates alongside award recognition[1]. Key achievements include establishing a widely watched, platform-agnostic livestream that reaches tens of millions worldwide and building credibility via a juried voting system paired with public voting, plus influential industry partnerships represented on its advisory board[1][2]. The event has also broadened category coverage to reflect accessibility, esports, and transmedia adaptation, signaling an expanded business and cultural remit[2][6]. Currently The Game Awards runs an annual December ceremony (Peacock Theater, Los Angeles in recent years) that continues to mix awards, premieres, and community engagement while remaining independently produced by Keighley’s team; the show’s model blends editorial juried selection (majority weight) with fan participation (minority weight)[5][2]. Notable aspects include its dual role as both awards validator and high-impact marketing stage for publishers, its founder-driven production ethos,