ARC Raiders Details Big New Update for January 2026

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A significant update is coming to ARC Raiders on January 27th, bringing exciting new features to the popular live-service extraction shooter. Since its release towards the end of last year, ARC Raiders has quickly become a hit, earning a place among the most popular new games of 2025. Regular updates have kept both dedicated fans and new players engaged with the game.

Since its release, ARC Raiders has been consistently improved with updates that fix technical problems and add new things to do. The November North Line update introduced the Stella Montis map and new enemy ARCs, while the December Cold Snap update added snow to the game’s environments, along with other improvements. Players can look forward to the next major update arriving on January 27th.

On January 27th, ARC Raiders will launch the Headwinds Update, its biggest update yet. This update gives players more control over how they play with new matchmaking features. Players can now create Open Parties to easily connect with friends between matches and send direct Squad Invites. A standout addition for level 40+ players is the Solo vs. Squads mode, which offers bonus experience to those brave enough to take on a tougher challenge alone against full teams.

The Birds Are Taking Over

The new Headwinds update will add more excitement to the Buried City in ARC Raiders. Now, flocks of birds will occasionally drop valuable items on rooftops and chimneys, encouraging players to explore previously overlooked areas. This will also increase player encounters, potentially leading to more intense matches. Since ARC Raiders focuses on social gameplay, the update aims to create more opportunities for players to interact in the Buried City.

Image via Embark Studios

I’m really excited about the new ARC Trophy Display coming in the Headwind update! Basically, we can trade in all those ARC parts we’ve been collecting for cool rewards. They’re saying it’ll include everything from useful items and blueprints to awesome cosmetics, achievements, and even Raider Tokens. It’s a great way to put all that hard work to use!

Headwinds is the First of Many Big Updates in 2026

Before diving into the details of the major ARC Raiders update coming in January, Embark Studios shared a roadmap to show players what’s planned for the game throughout the year. Following the January update, the February update, called Shrouded Sky, will add challenging weather effects to the maps, a new enemy type to battle, and other improvements. Then, in March, comes the Flashpoint update, and finally, the Riven Tides update in April.

The Riven Tides update introduces a new map for ARC Raiders players, which fans will likely be thrilled about. These updates demonstrate that Embark Studios is committed to consistently delivering fresh content, and it’ll be interesting to see how the game evolves over time.

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2026-01-26 20:07