The first major milestone of the "Escalation" roadmap drops tomorrow, Thursday, 29 January 2026! With this update, Embark Studios is about to transform the Arc Raiders universe, bringing players a brand new challenge and a mysterious map region.

Here are the highlights of tomorrow's update:

Arc Raiders: The First Massive Update of 2026 Goes Live Tomorrow!

Starting tomorrow, Speranza and its surroundings will be packed not only with enemies but also new strategic layers. At the heart of the update are the "Solo vs. Squads" mode and the highly anticipated "Bird City" area.

Solo vs. Squads: The Ultimate Challenge

Thanks to a new matchmaking feature, Raiders who prefer to play solo can now take on full squads.

• High Risk, High Reward: Lone wolves who defeat larger teams will earn much rarer loot and exclusive reputation points.

• Level 40+ Focus: The experience is integrated with high-level matchmaking as outlined in the roadmap.

New Area: 'Bird City'

As a preview of the map update coming in February, the "Bird City" region is now fully accessible and revamped.

• Vertical Combat: Filled with tall buildings and hanging structures, this area is a sniper's paradise and a trap for careless Raiders.

• New Map Conditions: Unique map conditions in "Bird City" will bring a different atmosphere and danger every time you enter.

What Else Is Coming Tomorrow?

• Player Project 1: Resource gathering begins for a new community project in the shelter.

• Headwinds Event: The special "Headwinds" event for January goes live, where wind affects bullet trajectories and robot movement.