ARC Raiders developers have hinted at an important upcoming update that could significantly improve the game’s balance. The game’s design lead, Virgil Watkins, has confirmed that the next balance patch will introduce major changes to both the Kettle rifle and Trigger Nades. Since its release, ARC Raiders has built a strong reputation in the gaming industry, which is why the developers are focused on continuously refining the experience.
After launching in late October, ARC Raiders quickly gained massive popularity on Steam, reaching player numbers close to franchises like Battlefield and Call of Duty. The game has already sold more than 12 million copies. A major reason behind this success is Embark Studios’ strong post-launch support, delivering regular updates and improvements.
Since launch, ARC Raiders has received consistent patches including bug fixes, balance adjustments, and new content. Aside from a short holiday break, updates have arrived almost weekly, with version 1.7.3 released on January 10. The Cold Snap update in December even introduced a new map condition featuring heavy winter weather, reduced visibility, and masked footsteps.
The upcoming patch focuses heavily on the Kettle rifle and Trigger Nades. In an interview with GamesRadar, Virgil Watkins explained that the Kettle’s fire rate cap is being lowered because some players were exploiting it to instantly eliminate others. These changes aim to make combat more skill-based and fair.
Trigger Nades are also being reworked. The damage falloff curve is being adjusted to reward accuracy, and the grenade’s detonation timing is being modified so it does not explode immediately after being thrown. Both changes are scheduled for the January 13 balance patch.
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Watkins also hinted at possible future adjustments to weapon rarity, ensuring each weapon fits properly into the game’s overall balance and progression system.
ARC Raiders’ success has extended beyond players and into awards recognition. The game won Best Multiplayer Game at The Game Awards 2025 and earned Most Innovative Gameplay at the Steam Awards, along with a Game of the Year nomination. It has also been shortlisted in multiple categories at the British Academy Games Awards.
Looking ahead, 2026 could bring even more excitement. Embark Studios CEO Patrick Söderlund has confirmed that several studios have shown interest in creating a TV or film adaptation of ARC Raiders. While the game has faced some criticism over its use of generative AI, the controversy has done little to slow its rapid rise.
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