Evolving the Extraction Genre: A Brief Roadmap to Achieving Greater Adoption
The extraction genre is all about engaging in a high-stakes environment where the goal is not just survival, but the pursuit of acquiring and extracting valuable loot, all while balancing the risk of potentially losing it all. The genre has its roots in survival and looter-shooter titles - games such as DayZ and Rust paved the way by introducing mechanics and gameplay loops centered around risk and reward. Extraction titles introduced greater intensity and thrive on gameplay loops that reinforce a special blend of thrilling action, constant tension, and hard-earned rewards.
What makes the genre special is also what makes it niche; and therein lies the challenge with expanding the genre for greater player adoption. Some of the current barriers that we hope to eliminate include:
Overwhelming Gameplay Systems and Limited Accessibility:
Extraction games often assume that players have a level of familiarity/comfort with complex mechanics, inventory management systems, and map navigation. For newcomers, this can feel overwhelming. The fear of losing everything—whether loot or progress—can be paralyzing, especially for players unfamiliar with such unforgiving systems.
Stress-Inducing Gameplay:
The very tension that makes extraction games exhilarating can also make them stressful. Prolonged high-stakes encounters, combined with the fear of permadeath or other loss of progress, can lead to burnout. It becomes difficult to sustain that level of intensity over longer gaming sessions and makes an even tougher sell to convince friends to play with each other (everyone is required to commit to that same intensity level).
Unpredictable Player Behavior and Toxicity:
In general, competitive games tend to bring out more aggressive player behavior. It’s natural to want to win and flex on others! However, in ultra-intense extraction games it can act as a deterrent to newcomers or less skilled players. It can act as a point of churn before they’ve even had a chance to experience what the genre has to offer.
Time Commitment:
Extraction games frequently require extended sessions to achieve meaningful progress, making them less appealing to players with limited time to invest.
Despite these current roadblocks, we believe players deserve to experience the thrill of extraction without the intensity or burnout that comes from existing offerings. A quick search on reddit exemplifies the large gap that exists within the market today:
Escape from Tarkov (2016) and Hunt: Showdown (2019) are two popular titles that have become synonymous with the genre itself. New entrants such as Dark and Darker have gained traction by introducing a unique twist through its world setting and mechanics.
The growing demand for extraction games is clear. However, to elevate the genre and increase its appeal to a larger audience, new entrants should seek to broaden the scope beyond existing games toward one which blends greater gameplay accessibility and meta progression systems that have been popularized by other genres. This is not about diluting the genre and stripping it of what makes it special, rather it’s about repackaging the overall user experience into something more presentable.
Flipping the previous list, this includes making the following changes to make it more appealing for newcomers:
Streamlined Onboarding: The first-time user experience (FTUE) should use well-crafted PvE (player versus environment) level design to serve as a low-stakes environment that teaches players core mechanics of the genre. Everyone can learn at their own pace without the risk of immediately jumping into a competitive PvP (player versus player) lobby that requires one to figure everything out on their own.
Re-balancing the Risk-Reward Loop: Introducing new mechanisms that give players an option to insure their loot (part or in full) and gameplay systems that enable partial rewards for failed extractions. This allows players to participate in the thrill of risking their inventory without being paralyzed at the thought of potentially losing it all.
Enforcing Community Safeguards: Influencing player behavior through cooperative objectives or team-based modes can align player incentives and help reduce toxicity amongst the player community.
Flexible Time Commitments: Game modes, objectives, and extraction zones that provide varied session lengths to accommodate players with changing schedules.
Looking Toward the Future of Extraction
The future of the genre lies in its ability to evolve without losing its soul. If these innovators succeed, extraction games may no longer be defined by their barriers, but by their boundless potential to captivate and thrill a new generation of players.
At Galaxy Interactive, we are dedicated to supporting visionary founders and companies that not only pioneer new genres but also redefine existing ones to inspire and engage a new generation of players. Our investments in Elodie Games and Notorious Studios reflect this commitment. Both companies are revolutionizing the appeal of extraction games, striving to make them accessible and enjoyable for seasoned enthusiasts and curious newcomers alike. By reimagining core mechanics, enhancing social systems, and refining gameplay pacing, they are leading the evolution of extraction-based gaming into an exciting new era.
Legal Disclosure:
This document, and the information contained herein, has been provided to you by Galaxy Digital Holdings LP and its affiliates (“Galaxy Digital”) solely for informational purposes. This document may not be reproduced or redistributed in whole or in part, in any format, without the express written approval of Galaxy Digital. Neither the information, nor any opinion contained in this document, constitutes an offer to buy or sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy or sell, any advisory services, securities, futures, options or other financial instruments or to participate in any advisory services or trading strategy. Nothing contained in this document constitutes investment, legal or tax advice or is an endorsement of any of the stablecoins mentioned herein. You should make your own investigations and evaluations of the information herein. Any decisions based on information contained in this document are the sole responsibility of the reader. Certain statements in this document reflect Galaxy Digital’s views, estimates, opinions or predictions (which may be based on proprietary models and assumptions, including, in particular, Galaxy Digital’s views on the current and future market for certain digital assets), and there is no guarantee that these views, estimates, opinions or predictions are currently accurate or that they will be ultimately realized. To the extent these assumptions or models are not correct or circumstances change, the actual performance may vary substantially from, and be less than, the estimates included herein. None of Galaxy Digital nor any of its affiliates, shareholders, partners, members, directors, officers, management, employees or representatives makes any representation or warranty, express or implied, as to the accuracy or completeness of any of the information or any other information (whether communicated in written or oral form) transmitted or made available to you. Each of the aforementioned parties expressly disclaims any and all liability relating to or resulting from the use of this information. Certain information contained herein (including financial information) has been obtained from published and non-published sources. Such information has not been independently verified by Galaxy Digital and, Galaxy Digital, does not assume responsibility for the accuracy of such information. Affiliates of Galaxy Digital may have owned, hedged and sold or may own, hedge and sell investments in some of the digital assets and protocols discussed in this document. Affiliates of Galaxy Digital may also lend to some of the protocols discussed in this document, the underlying collateral of which could be the native token subject to liquidation in the event of a margin call or closeout. The economic result of closing out the protocol loan could directly conflict with other Galaxy affiliates that hold investments in, and support, such token. Except where otherwise indicated, the information in this document is based on matters as they exist as of the date of preparation and not as of any future date, and will not be updated or otherwise revised to reflect information that subsequently becomes available, or circumstances existing or changes occurring after the date hereof. This document provides links to other Websites that we think might be of interest to you. Please note that when you click on one of these links, you may be moving to a provider’s website that is not associated with Galaxy Digital. These linked sites and their providers are not controlled by us, and we are not responsible for the contents or the proper operation of any linked site. The inclusion of any link does not imply our endorsement or our adoption of the statements therein. We encourage you to read the terms of use and privacy statements of these linked sites as their policies may differ from ours. The foregoing does not constitute a “research report” as defined by FINRA Rule 2241 or a “debt research report” as defined by FINRA Rule 2242 and was not prepared by Galaxy Digital Partners LLC. For all inquiries, please email contact@galaxydigital.io. ©Copyright Galaxy Digital Holdings LP 2025. All rights reserved.