“You just saw it”: ARC Raiders devs explain why you don’t need health bars

ARC Raiders doesn’t have a health bar, but there’s a good reason.

In the latest episode of The Evolution of ARC Raiders on YouTube, developers discussed the absence of a traditional UI in the survival shooter. Creative Director Stefan Strandberg said it’s related to the game’s immersion and physics.

ARC Raiders doesn’t need no stinkin’ health bar

ARC Raders fans feel the game was snubbed at the all-important Game Awards 2025. While it likely shouldn’t win Game of the Year, as shroud kept bringing up on Twitch, gamers have been wondering why it was not nominated for the Best Audio Design category.

That’s because the game is highly focused on its immersive elements, including visual, physical, and audible feedback that allows players to feel as though they are experiencing the action firsthand. Having an ex-sniper, Bence Pajor, leading the audio design has clearly paid off when it comes to realism.

“Allow the things in there to be real. That’s why we want to use gradual destruction on the drones. You shoot off a thruster and that disables its ability to fly. Of course, it does. It’s physics talking back to you, and there’s something fun to play, with physics. You don’t need a health bar to tell you that,” Strandberg explained.

Rather than checking an enemy’s health bar throughout a fight, players are encouraged to pay attention to realistic cues. For example, you may see an enemy starting to appear unstable on their feet or see a Wasp struggling to stay in the air. The player is trusted to make decisions based on what they see and hear.

One comment said: “It’s so refreshing to see developers that don’t treat you like a total dumbass who thinks you can’t think for yourself or see what’s happening.”

And another: “It didn’t even occur to me that there’s no floating HP bar or some lame tab target system until he pointed it out. I hope other games start doing this.”

It may be something you have to get used to at first, but it’s worth paying attention.