After some chatter in recent weeks, ARC Raiders is finally set to receive its next major content update: Cold Snap. Prepare for a rough winter in Speranza.
In spite of its breakout success, the extraction shooter from Embark Studios hasn’t been super busy in terms of content updates yet. Patches have arrived regularly, sure, but it appears the developers aren’t forcing a fixed seasonal model on the hit online game. It’s a sensible approach, as no small amount of shooter sensations have quickly crumbled under the weight of their aspirations in the past.
Regardless, the intention (at least under normal circumstances) is to regularly update the game with new locations, enemies, and things to do. Just in time for Christmas, we were expecting a winter update, and that’s exactly what Cold Snap aims to deliver starting tomorrow, December 16.
Key additions and changes include a frostbite environmental hazard due to the harsh snowy weather, shelter mechanics that involve not being exposed for too long to cold temperatures, and a fitting visual overhaul to the Dam Battlegrounds, Buried City, Spaceport, and Blue Gate maps.
Players can also access to a second Raider Deck with new rewards starting Friday, December 26. It’s permanent and available to all players, regardless of which edition of the game they’ve acquired.
On top of everything, two winter-themed events and challenges will happen between December 16, 2025, at 10:30 am CET, and January 13, 2026, at 10:30 am CET. Here’s the full rundown:
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Flickering Flames Event — An act of endurance and patience that tests Raiders’ survival skills during the Cold Snap. Raiders can unlock rewards across 25 levels, including new gear, customizations elements and Raider Tokens by earning Merits, which are automatically gained from XP in rounds. To activate the event, Raiders must have played five rounds of the game.
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Candleberry Banquet Project — A new project that brings Raiders together to feel the fragile warmth that shines through the frigid cold. Raiders can earn rewards by scavenging unique items topside and collecting Candleberries. It features 5 stages, each revealing a new scene on the banquet table. Completing stages grants rewards such as cosmetic items, Raider Tokens and Merits, with Merits contributing progress in the Flickering Flames event.
Last but not least, veteran players will be able to undergo an “optional reset” through the all-new Expedition Project. This allows the start of a new ARC Raiders journey with “exclusive buffs, advantages, and rewards that carry over.” Expect the patch notes to reveal the full details.
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