Embark Studios has finally lifted the curtain on Scrappy and how the unlikely rooster became one of the most important allies in the world of Arc Raiders.
ARC Raiders is a harsh world full of crumbling metal, scavengers and dangerous machines, yet one character manages to stand out with pure chaotic charm: Scrappy, the resource collecting rooster. Embark Studios has now revealed the full backstory behind this feathered mascot, and it is far stranger and much more heartwarming than fans expected.
How A Random Zoom Moment Created A Fan Favorite
The story behind Scrappy begins in the most unexpected way. During a normal work meeting on Zoom, an Embark developer was suddenly interrupted by a group of chickens wandering through the house. One of them, a rooster named Hakan, caught the attention of a 3D artist who decided to scan him for fun and place the model in the early version of ARC Raiders. It started as a temporary joke, something that was never meant to stay in the game.
Hakan was unlike the other roosters. Friendly, cuddly, and blind in one eye, he had a habit of stepping in his food and tripping over himself. I adored him. One day, I decided to photoscan Hakan and sneak him into the game as a silly little easter egg. In early builds, you could sometimes spot a rough version of Hakan sprinting around the cantina. But then, Hakan got his chance to shine. The team needed an in-game asset that would be used as a “resource producer,” something that would provide you with materials after each raid.
We cycled through many ideas: robots, cats… robot-cats! But the art team didn’t have time to build them and the meeting stalled, until someone raised their hand and said, in a moment of brilliance, “don’t we have a rooster?” That spark of inspiration turned into a phenomenon. Scrappy went from hidden easter egg, to “temporary mesh we’ll definitely replace later”, to a beloved and irreplaceable part of the ARC Raiders universe. So next time you see Scrappy, tell him I say hello!
From Small Easter Egg To Community Icon
Scrappy shows that even in a dark and broken world, there is room for humor and heart. The little rooster has grown into a symbol of hope, a reminder that even the smallest character can make a difference. He is more than a funny mascot. The bird represents the spirit of ARC Raiders, a mix of grit, surprise and personality that sets the game apart. If you play ARC Raiders, take a moment to check in on Scrappy and tell us what you think.
Is he a helpful companion, a comedic break, or the true hero of the Den? Share your thoughts in the comments.