January Update 1.13.0

New Matchmaking Option: Solo vs Squ

In a bid to cater to experienced players who thrive in PvP scenarios, Embark Studios has introduced a new matchmaking option named “Solo vs Squ.” This feature is now available for Raiders level 40 and above, allowing them to join the Squad queue and face off against groups of other Raiders. By opting into this mode, these skilled players can earn an additional 20% bonus experience points (XP) at the end of each round, whether they succeed in extracting resources or defeat their opponents.

Trophy Display Project

A long-term project has been unveiled by Embark Studios that involves creating a Trophy Display. This initiative requires players to hunt increasingly dangerous groups of ARC and submit parts for rewards. The Trophy Display will be divided into five stages, with each step rewarding players not only with blueprints but also Raider Tokens. Upon completion, the final stage brings additional rewards such as a Howl emote, a guitar, and 300,000 Coins.

Bird City Map Updates

The Buried City map has seen significant changes with the arrival of bird flocks. These birds have moved into the city’s empty chimneys, building nests and even storing shiny trinkets inside them. To accommodate these new entities, Embark Studios has increased the number of bird traps and ziplines present on the map. This update promises to bring more combat opportunities for Raiders in Buried City, with players expecting to encounter flying ARC and other players more frequently.

January 27, 2026 Patch Notes

The January 27, 2026 patch notes detail a series of fixes and improvements across the game. Among these updates are the implementation of open party settings, which allow Embark and platform friends to join matches seamlessly even when in the lobby waiting for the next round. Squad invites have also been enhanced, giving squadmates the ability to invite others to the party.

Several achievements now track progress correctly, including fixes for the “Enemy of my Enemy” and “Hook, Line, and Sinker” achievements.

The game has seen improvements in how ARC traverses obstacles, with Leaper’s movement improved when it loses its legs. Additionally, Shredder’s scavenge labels have been corrected upon being pinged.

Further updates include fixes for issues like Snitches aborting calls if Lure Grenades are thrown during the process and Spotters getting stuck in buildings. The Tick mechanic now allows players a brief window to dodge-roll away from the Tick when grabbed.

Audio improvements, such as fixing missing voice lines in the store and customization preview, have also been made.

Map-specific changes include adjustments for the Dam Battlegrounds where cliffs around the raider outpost tower and elevator shaft collision issues have been addressed. Various container spawn conditions during Electromagnetic Storm, Hidden Bunker, and Locked Gate events have been adjusted to lower their spawn rates. Lighting updates on Stella Montis have also been implemented.

Other notable fixes include resolving extraction glitches on Stella Montis, improving the Night Raid lighting by turning off most lamps, and addressing various UI issues such as incorrect helmet variants in-game previews.

The game has seen numerous crash fixes, adding options for mouse smoothing, matchmaking delay mitigations, and more consistent aim assist across different framerates.

Embark Studios continues to refine the gaming experience with these updates, ensuring players have a smooth and engaging journey through the challenges of ARC Raiders.

This comprehensive update aims to enhance the gameplay dynamics, introduce new challenges, and provide better user experiences for all players. Embark Studios is committed to continuously improving the game and keeping up with player feedback to ensure a rich and dynamic gaming environment.