Embark Studios has launched the first major seasonal update for its hit multiplayer extraction shooter, Arc Raiders. Titled "Cold Snap," the update transforms the game's Rust Belt with punishing winter weather and introduces a new survival layer that challenges players to manage frostbite alongside existing threats from robots and rival Raiders. This update, which includes new events and rewards, represents the final major content drop for the game in 2025, following its explosive launch success.
A Chilling New Threat in the Rust Belt
The core of the Cold Snap update is a new environmental hazard: frostbite. Four of the game's five maps—Dam Battlegrounds, Blue Gate, Buried City, and Spaceport—are now blanketed in heavy snow and subject to blizzards. Venturing outside for too long will cause players to accrue the frostbite status effect, which steadily drains health. This mechanic forces a significant shift in strategy, as players must now actively seek shelter, carry additional medical supplies to counteract the damage, and reconsider how they approach stationary phases of gameplay, such as waiting for extraction. The update effectively blends the high-stakes PvPvE action of Arc Raiders with survival game elements, adding a constant, atmospheric pressure that makes every expedition more tense and deliberate.
Cold Snap Update Key Details:
- Launch: December 16, 2025 (1:30 AM PST / 9:30 AM GMT)
- Duration: Until January 13, 2026
- Core Mechanic: Frostbite status effect drains health on snow-covered maps.
- Affected Maps: Dam Battlegrounds, Blue Gate, Buried City, Spaceport.
- Limited-Time Events: Flickering Flames Event (Merit-based rewards) and Candleberry Banquet Project (item collection rewards).
- New Permanent Content: Ice Hockey-themed Raider Deck (launches December 26).
- Optional Feature: Expedition Project allows voluntary account wipes for permanent and temporary bonuses.
Festive Events and Reward Tracks
To accompany the frozen landscape, Embark Studios has launched two limited-time events centered around warmth and light. The Flickering Flames Event is an endurance challenge where players automatically earn "Merits" from gaining XP during matches. These Merits unlock a progression track filled with new gear, cosmetic items, and Raider Tokens. Simultaneously, the Candleberry Banquet Project requires players to loot special event items called Candleberries during their runs. Turning in these items reveals stages of a festive banquet table scene, granting rewards like unique cosmetics, Raider Tokens, and additional Merits for the Flickering Flames track. These events, running from December 16 until January 13, provide a thematic, US holiday season (Christmas and New Year) grind for players seeking new unlocks.
Account Wipe Incentives and New Raider Deck
For the game's most dedicated players, the Cold Snap update introduces the first "Expedition Project," which offers optional account wipes with substantial rewards. Players who have fully contributed to the ongoing Project will have a few days to choose to reset their progress. In return, they receive temporary gameplay buffs and permanent unlocks, such as exclusive cosmetics and extra stash space. This system caters to hardcore players looking for a fresh challenge or a more efficient progression path. Furthermore, a new permanent Raider Deck with an ice hockey theme will be added on December 26. This Deck allows all players to earn cosmetics, item bundles, emotes, and Raider Tokens, providing a long-term goal beyond the limited-time winter events.
Capping Off a Breakout Year
The Cold Snap update serves as a fitting finale to a remarkable year for Arc Raiders and Embark Studios. Since its late October launch, the game has seen skyrocketing sales and player counts, won Best Multiplayer at The Game Awards, and was named the most-searched video game of the year by Google. This winter update demonstrates Embark's commitment to evolving the game post-launch with meaningful mechanical changes rather than simple cosmetic swaps. The addition of the frostbite system shows a willingness to deepen the gameplay loop, while the events and new Deck offer plentiful reasons for both new and veteran players to engage. As the studio looks ahead to 2026, the success of Cold Snap will be a key indicator of its ability to sustain the game's momentum with substantive, engaging content updates.