Arc Raiders Receives Praise for Latest ‘All Positive’ Update

Arc Raiders developer Embark Studios has faced significant criticism recently. Players have reported a surge in cheating, the Riven Tides update drastically reduced weapon durability, and news broke that the next major update won’t arrive until October. However, like a phoenix rising from the ashes, the team behind what could be 2025’s top multiplayer shooter has managed to win back the community’s favor.

Update 1.29.0 may not be classified as a “major” update—October’s Frozen Trail is set to introduce a new map, progression systems, and a host of new enemies—but it does bring “100% positive” changes, according to players. One Reddit user, sticknotstick, expressed disbelief at the improvements, saying, “I’m sleep deprived right now and thought I must have been hallucinating, but no, they really did it.”

One of the most significant changes for PvP enthusiasts is the introduction of Denuvo anti-cheat technology. This decision follows a successful implementation in Embark’s other multiplayer title, The Finals. In Arc Raiders, the anti-cheat will initially be available to a “limited player pool,” with plans for broader rollout after careful monitoring.

While Denuvo has its share of controversies, particularly regarding performance on Windows PCs, Embark seems to be addressing these concerns: “We will not be using Denuvo’s Digital Rights Management (DRM) service, and are working to ensure minimal impact on performance.”

In terms of gameplay enhancements, two key features stand out. First, a new trader named Ermal has been introduced. Unlike other traders, he doesn’t deal in raider tokens; instead, he offers valuable items in exchange for rare collectibles. His rewards are substantial, including extra stash space and the ability to keep up to five items when heading out on an expedition. To access these benefits, players must accumulate a minimum value of 200,000 in specific items.

To earn these rewards, players will need to defeat a significant number of challenging Arc enemies. Ermal also provides unique items on a rotating weekly basis, each requiring different collectibles. For instance, a Tempest blueprint can be obtained for a total value of 1 million tokens, which includes the aforementioned items along with any type of weapon.

The Riven Tides update has given players multiple reasons to dive back into Arc Raiders.

The other major addition in this patch is a new weapon: the Rascal. This grenade launcher is designed specifically for taking down Arc enemies and isn’t as coveted as the Hullcracker. We’ve all felt the sting of being taken out by players wielding the Hullcracker.

Described as “lightweight, compact, and easy to carry,” the Rascal is noted for its punch despite its quirks. “While it’s slower to reload and a bit unpredictable in aim, the Rascal shines as a reliable sidearm for those seeking anti-ARC firepower without the burden of a Hullcracker,” states the official blog.

Player feedback on this patch has been overwhelmingly positive. “This feels like a breath of fresh air,” said Exe0n on Reddit. “I don’t think there is a single thing I dislike.” Another player, CPham93, enthusiastically remarked, “Embark is cooking with this update, let’s go!” Meanwhile, mr-zool celebrated the reversal of some weapon durability changes that were implemented in April.

For a comprehensive overview of all the changes and additions—of which there are many—be sure to check the official patch notes.