ARC Raiders to host free-to-play weekend and launch major update

Embark Studios has announced that ARC Raiders will be available as a free-to-play title for a limited period from October 8 to October 12, 2026. This promotional window coincides with the launch of the Frozen Trail update, which introduces the Pendola Pass map, new enemies, weapons, gadgets, and a large lootable ship called the Frigate.

In conjunction with these updates, the studio is significantly strengthening its anti-cheat measures. Executive Producer Aleks stated that permanent bans will now be the standard for any account caught using known cheat programs, removing previous leniency toward first-time offenders. The studio is utilizing a multi-layered approach, combining Denuvo’s kernel-level protection, Anybrain detection technologies, and proprietary machine learning models. These systems aim to combat evolving cheat software and have already reportedly reduced queue teaming by 85 percent.