ARC Raiders continues to build on its strong launch momentum as Embark Studios prepares a new round of balance updates aimed at improving fairness and long-term gameplay depth. The upcoming patch, scheduled for January 13, focuses on two of the most controversial weapons in the current meta while reinforcing the studio’s commitment to consistent live support.
Since its late-October release, ARC Raiders has exceeded expectations, reaching player numbers that rival major multiplayer franchises and surpassing 12 million copies sold. Regular weekly patches have kept the game evolving, with development resuming in full after the holiday break through update 1.7.3 earlier this month.
Immediate Balance Changes Coming January 13
Two weapons are at the center of the next update.
Kettle Rifle
The Kettle rifle has become infamous for a rapid-fire exploit that allowed players to achieve near-instant eliminations. To address this, Embark Studios is introducing a lower fire-rate cap designed to eliminate unintended burst damage while preserving the weapon’s intended role.
Trigger Nades
Trigger Nades are also being reworked to reward precision rather than raw timing abuse. The update will adjust their falloff curve to require more accurate throws, while changes to throw lead time will prevent grenades from detonating almost immediately after release.
Why These Changes Are Happening
Design lead Virgil Watkins explained that the balance pass is a direct response to player footage highlighting how certain mechanics were being exploited. According to the team, the goal is not to weaken weapons arbitrarily, but to ensure that high-impact tools reward skillful play rather than mechanical loopholes.
Beyond these immediate fixes, Embark Studios has confirmed it is reviewing how weapons are distributed across the rarity spectrum. This signals that broader tuning may arrive in future updates, potentially reshaping how players approach loadouts and progression.
Ongoing Updates and Long-Term Plans
ARC Raiders has already established a steady cadence of updates that goes beyond balance changes. Recent patches have delivered:
- Regular bug fixes and stability improvements
- Continued weapon and system tuning
- Seasonal content additions, including December’s Cold Snap map condition, which introduced reduced visibility and masked player footsteps for a more tactical experience
Looking ahead, the developers have confirmed that live support will continue well into 2026, with additional content and features already in planning.
Awards, Praise, and Controversy
The game’s success has not gone unnoticed. ARC Raiders has earned major industry recognition, including:
- Best Multiplayer Game at the 2025 Game Awards
- Multiple wins and nominations at the Steam Awards
- Six longlist mentions at the BAFTA Games Awards
At the same time, the studio has faced criticism over its use of generative AI in certain art assets and voice work. While the debate remains active within the community, it has not slowed the game’s growth or its strong player engagement.
A Strong Future for ARC Raiders
With weapon balance improvements arriving this month and a clear commitment to long-term support, ARC Raiders appears well-positioned to maintain its momentum. Embark Studios’ willingness to respond quickly to player feedback and refine core systems suggests that the game’s evolution is only just beginning.
As 2026 approaches, ARC Raiders is shaping up not just as a successful launch story, but as a live service title with staying power.
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