Arc Raiders has a “cold snap” on the way, and it’s set to arrive on December 16.
As already confirmed by developer Embark Studios, the Cold Snap December update adds a new map condition called Snowfall, a new event called Flickering Flames, new quests, and a new raider deck (Arc Raiders’ equivalent of a battle pass).
What does the Snowfall map condition mean, exactly? We’re not sure, but Embark shared the image, below, showing what appears to be a dead raider in the snow, suggesting the frigid weather could be more deadly than merely inconvenient. As one fan quipped in response: “I can’t wait to have all of my s**t stolen from people camping in basements on extraction points covered in snow.”
16.12.25 pic.twitter.com/UxQH0nAP1L
— ARC Raiders (@ARCRaidersGame) December 9, 2025
Cold Snap is the last update listed as part of Arc Raiders’ 2025 content roadmap, and Embark has yet to outline what’s coming in 2026. The previous update, rolled out at the end of November, involved a “very hot fix for the locked room exploits,” and it turned out they weren’t kidding after some players had been cheating their way into locked rooms as before.
Arc Raiders sold over 4 million copies worldwide within two weeks of launch, cementing its commercial success. Nexon also revealed that the extraction shooter had reached a huge concurrent count of 700,000 players across all platforms. It’s done so well it’s crossed over into the world of South Park with a surprise appearance that was put together in just a few days.
IGN’s Arc Raiders review, returned a 9/10. We said: “With polished gunplay and an irresistible grind, ARC Raiders sets a new standard for extraction shooters.”
If this has tempted you into jumping into Arc Raiders, check out our guide to the best settings, find out what skills we recommend unlocking first, and see how to earn loot by delivering field depot crates.
Vikki Blake is a reporter for IGN, as well as a critic, columnist, and consultant with 15+ years experience working with some of the world’s biggest gaming sites and publications. She’s also a Guardian, Spartan, Silent Hillian, Legend, and perpetually High Chaos. Find her at BlueSky.
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