Okay, so it’s not just bugs and exploits ruining ARC Raiders for people. A ton of us are begging Embark Studios to please fix the lighting! Seriously, the brightness has been messed up since the game first came out, and it’s still a problem. It’s making the game pretty unplayable for a lot of us, and we’ve been talking about it for ages.
Initially, PC players used NVIDIA’s Game Filters to brighten the game and gain an advantage. This created an unfair playing field in player-versus-player combat, as console players didn’t have similar options to clearly see the map, especially at night. The filters were later turned off for ARC Raiders to ensure a more balanced experience. Now, players are asking the developers at Embark to fix the in-game visibility issues if they want people to stop relying on these external tools.
Fans Think ARC Raiders Has a Lighting Problem
A Reddit user named Cactus_on_Fire recently complained about the darkness in the game, saying it makes it hard to see and negatively impacts gameplay. They pointed out that PC players are having to adjust their game settings or use external tools just to be able to see clearly. The post has received over 16,000 upvotes, indicating many players share this concern and want the developers, Embark Studios, to address the lighting issues.
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Players have noticed the problem is especially bad on the Electromagnetic Storm and Night Raid maps in ARC Raiders. The darkness makes it very hard to see enemies, and some players have been exploiting this by camping in shadows and ambushing others.
A popular comment highlighted that gunfire creates a lot of smoke, making it hard to see during fights. Many players find player-versus-player (PvP) combat frustrating because of the combination of dim lighting and persistent smoke. Some suggest that better gadgets could make the current lighting conditions more manageable.
ARC Raiders’ Flashlight Fails to Fill the Gap
Image via Embark Studios One player feels the limited range of the flashlight makes the darkness in the game more frustrating. They aren’t bothered by the overall darkness, but believe the flashlight needs to be improved – ideally by increasing how far its light reaches – to help players see better in dimly lit areas of the map. They suggest Embark Studios address this issue.
Some Players Support ARC Raiders’ Current Lighting
Many players have asked Embark Studios to enhance the game’s lighting, but not everyone agrees it needs improvement. One player explained on Reddit that the contrast between bright outdoor and dark indoor areas is deliberate. This design choice forces players to consider their visibility – shooting enemies outside from a window reveals your position, and dark interiors require using a flashlight, which also makes you easier to spot. It’s all intentional gameplay.
The comment has received almost 4,000 upvotes, showing many players like how the game currently looks. However, some disagree, saying the lighting feels uneven. Specifically, it’s too easy to see enemies outdoors while being hidden indoors. Many players are also having to change their monitor settings or use extra programs to make the game easier to see, which suggests the lighting isn’t as well-balanced as others believe.
Image via Embark Studios Embark Studios’ Track Record Doesn’t Suggest a ‘Bright’ Future
Embark Studios, the creators of ARC Raiders, designed the game’s world to highlight the beauty of nature, using realistic lighting and expansive skies, and showing nature gradually taking over man-made structures. However, recent updates to ARC Raiders suggest a shift, with the studio often dimming the lighting in various areas, seemingly to create a more grounded and realistic atmosphere.
On January 13, 2026, the Swedish developer released update 1.11.0, which made it harder to see in certain areas of the Stella Montis Night Raids. This was done to make flashlights and the sound of footsteps more useful. Then, on January 27th, update 1.13.0 further changed the lighting in Night Raids by switching off most of the lamps. Although this update included some minor lighting improvements, players didn’t notice a big difference.
As a big fan of the team behind ARC Raiders, I don’t expect any huge changes to the game’s lighting anytime soon – they really stick to their vision. But honestly, a lot of us are still pretty annoyed with how dark it is by default! We’re all hoping the developers will hear our feedback and tweak the brightness a bit. Fingers crossed!
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2026-02-12 08:06