Most online games that are constantly updated share their plans for the next year or two, but Embark Studios’ ARC Raiders is doing better than most. Having sold over 12.4 million copies and received positive reviews from both critics and players, the game is in a strong position. Design lead Virgil Watkins has confirmed that several new maps will be released this year.
In an interview with GamesRadar+, Watkins didn’t reveal many details, but hinted that future levels will vary greatly in size. They explained the team is aiming for a range of environments, from smaller areas designed for specific gameplay, to levels that are much larger and more expansive than anything players have seen so far.
Embark isn’t simply adding new maps randomly. They want to combine new maps with fresh experiences – things like unique weather, challenging enemies, or better rewards – to make gameplay feel truly different and engaging.
A map feels truly special when it has a strong, unified theme. Simply adding a new location is fun for a while, but it’s important to consider how everything within that map – the enemies, items, and overall experience – connects to a central idea. When all these elements work together thematically, it creates excitement. Players will think, ‘Oh, the new ‘Whatever’ update for ARC Raiders is out – let’s see what it’s all about!’
The game also keeps things interesting with changing environmental conditions. Players have found evidence of toxic swamps being added, which will introduce new challenges beyond just basic gameplay changes. For example, players might need to power up air purifiers to survive. This is similar to the type of content added with the previous ‘Cold Snap’ update.
Players can probably look forward to more Raider Decks, better weapons, and general improvements to the game, including Expeditions. The developers also know they need to add more playable characters to the ARC roster, and the next big update might be when that happens. Since the developers have promised to release a roadmap “very soon,” we should find out details shortly.
You can play ARC Raiders on Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5, and PC. We really liked the game, giving it a 9 out of 10 in our review.
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2026-01-18 21:11