Shroud, ex-FPS pro, calls Arc Raiders a “waste of time” due to rampant cheating and is contemplating a hiatus until issues are resolved, stating, “Embark has no control over their game.”

Cheating in Arc Raiders is becoming so prevalent that even major streamers are starting to voice their concerns. Michael ‘Shroud’ Grzesiek, a former FPS pro turned streamer, has recently highlighted the frequency of encountering players who exploit the game to secure wins, joining a growing number of frustrated voices in the community.

During a recent stream, Grzesiek expressed his frustration, stating that he’s considering stepping away from the game due to the rampant cheating. “Embark has zero control over their game,” he remarked in a clip shared on social media. “If there’s no meaningful change in the next week or two, what’s the point in playing?”

He described Arc Raiders as “a waste of time,” while his streaming partner, Justin ‘Just9n’ Ortiz, boldly claimed that “50% of each lobby is cheating.” This assertion, while likely influenced by their high-level gameplay experience, found support in the comments, with one user noting, “Most people won’t get it because they don’t play in these top aggressive lobbies. At least half the lobby players have VAC bans or previous game bans on record, private accounts, or fresh Steam accounts.”

Shroud’s frustration with Embark Studios for their inaction on the cheating issue is palpable. He stated, “If there’s no meaningful change in the next week or two, what’s the point in f*cking playing? It’s a waste of time.”

Quantifying cheating can be tricky and often leads to biased conclusions, but regular players are also increasingly vocal about their experiences with cheaters. The PvP-centric map Stella Montis is gaining a reputation for being particularly challenging due to players exploiting various glitches.

Embark Studios has acknowledged the issue to some degree, with a community manager addressing it on the official Discord. “All the in-game reports are looked into, but it might take some time,” said CM Birdie. “I get your frustration. The team is actively taking action against them!”

While frustrating, cheating is an unfortunate byproduct of the rapid launch and growth that Arc Raiders has experienced. Embark is likely working on solutions, but in the meantime, continue to submit reports to help provide the developers with the data they need.