ARC Raiders Cold Snap Update: Release Date, New Features, and What to Expect

The frozen frontier of ARC Raiders is about to get a whole lot chillier. Embark Studios has confirmed that the "Cold Snap" winter update, the grand finale to the game’s first-year roadmap, officially launches on December 16, 2025. This pivotal update arrives as a culmination of the game's massively successful debut—which saw over 4 million copies sold and a staggering 700,000 peak concurrent players since its late October launch—and introduces the community’s first-ever optional progress wipe. For a game that has dominated the extraction shooter conversation, "Cold Snap" represents both a festive celebration and a critical turning point.

Cold Snap Update: The Core Details

Mark your calendars, Raiders. This winter-themed expansion is developed and published by Embark Studios and is positioned as the final major update of the 2025 content roadmap, setting the stage for 2026.

"Cold Snap" arrives with significant momentum, hot on the heels of the substantial "Northline" update from November 13th. That update brought the sprawling new Stella Montis map, terrifying new enemy types like the Matriarch and Shredder, and a fresh arsenal of weapons. By concluding the year’s planned content with "Cold Snap," Embark is signaling a moment of reflection and transition.

Braving the Storm: New Features & Gameplay Changes

So, what exactly does "Cold Snap" bring to the frozen wasteland? This update is designed to fundamentally alter the gameplay experience with a suite of winter-themed features.

The headline addition is a new snowfall weather system, a dynamic map condition confirmed to reduce visibility and muffle audio cues during heavy flurries. This will directly impact core gameplay, masking the approach of both ARC machines and rival Raiders. Beyond these confirmed effects, there is widespread community speculation about a potential temperature or survival hazard mechanic, which could add another layer of tension to navigating a whiteout blizzard.

Complementing the new environmental hazard is a fresh progression loop. A new Raider Deck (the game’s battle pass system) will offer seasonal rewards, alongside a batch of new quests to pursue. Tying it all together is a limited-time event called "Flickering Flames." While details are scarce, the name suggests a thematic push against the encroaching cold, potentially offering unique rewards or narrative threads. Together, these features aim to create a distinct, cohesive wintry experience perfect for the holiday season.

The Expedition Wipe: A Fresh Start for Raiders

Beyond new weather and quests, "Cold Snap" delivers the most significant systemic change since launch: the first optional Expedition wipe. For the uninitiated, this is a voluntary reset of a player’s character progress, including items, resources, and upgrades earned during expeditions.

The crucial date for this community reset is December 22, 2025, when the optional wipe "departure window" opens. This is a monumental moment for the player base. For veterans who have mastered the meta and accumulated vast stockpiles, it represents a strategic choice: to restart from scratch armed with invaluable game knowledge, experiencing the early-game tension and progression anew. For newer players or those who may have fallen behind, it’s a golden opportunity to begin on a completely level playing field, removing any perceived gear gap. This optional wipe is a bold, player-friendly design choice that could rejuvenate the gameplay loop and foster a unique shared moment for the entire community.

The Road Ahead: From Cold Snap to 2026

The arrival of "Cold Snap" is a definitive endpoint. It concludes the initial 2025 content plan that guided ARC Raiders from its blockbuster launch through its first few months of live service. Embark Studios has already noted that plans for 2026 are in the works, though specific details remain under wraps.

Given the game’s phenomenal commercial and player-count success—4 million copies sold is no small feat—the community’s expectations for sustained, high-quality post-launch support are justifiably high. The solid foundation laid by updates like "Northline" and now "Cold Snap" suggests Embark is committed to evolving the experience. The speculation now turns to what 2026 might hold: new major regions, deeper narrative developments, additional enemy factions, or perhaps even new gameplay modes. The winter of "Cold Snap" may be the quiet before another storm of content.

The key dates are set: December 16th for the "Cold Snap" update and December 22nd for the optional Expedition wipe. This update is more than a festive seasonal event; it's a meaningful milestone that offers new environmental challenges and rewards while giving the entire Raider community a shared opportunity to reset, reflect, and collectively look ahead. As the snow begins to fall on December 16th, players will not just be battling the ARC and the cold—they’ll be witnessing the end of one chapter and the beginning of the next for one of gaming’s biggest new hits.

Tags: ARC Raiders, Cold Snap Update, Embark Studios, Game Updates, Expedition Wipe, Extraction Shooter, Live Service