Arc Raiders has already received a few major updates since launch, and that's set to continue in December. I've been playing the new extraction shooter, and have found it to be a thrilling and fresh experience that's as fun solo as it is with a squad of friends. There's plenty of updates planned for the future, too, now that the Arc Raiders roadmap has been unveiled.
Having tried a bunch of other extraction shooters, I'm happy to report that Arc Raiders has me hooked on the genre for the first time. I've been particularly surprised by how co-operative and friendly other players have been, and the tense firefights that break out towards the end of a match are nail-bitingly tense. If Arc Raiders continues to change over time, it's very likely to rank highly in our best PC games of 2025 list by the time the year is out.
Arc Raiders roadmap
You can view the Arc Raiders roadmap in the image embedded above. It runs all the way until the end of the year, with some updates also detailed for further on in the future. Here's the key details:
- Cold Snap (December 16): Snowfall map condition, Flickering Flames event, Expedition departure window, new Raider Deck, new Quests
- Ongoing: New map conditions, new Feats and Trials, new Cosmetics, QOL updates
Arc Raiders December update release date
The Cold Snap update arrives on December 16, with changes to maps, and a event called Flickering Flames. There will also be a new Raider Deck to work through, pretty much guaranteed to add new skins and other cosmetics. Here's the full list of additions:
- Snowfall Map Condition
- Flickering Flames Event
- Expedition Departure Window
- New Raider Deck
- New Quests
Arc Raiders Expedition wipe date
The Arc Raiders Expedition wipe begins on December 17, 2025. You'll need to have contributed enough resources in the 'Projects' tab, and then you'll be sending off your Raider to pastures new. It's still unconfirmed how often these wipes are planned to happen in Arc Raiders, but I wouldn't worry too much about rushing for this one if you've yet to hit max level.
What we do know is that you'll have until December 22 to prepare, before the option to take part in the Expedition expires. You can read the full details in this Arc Raiders blog post.
Arc Raiders roadmap FAQ
Are future Arc Raiders updates going to be free?
I've reached out to representatives for Embark Studios, and can confirm that the content outlined in the Arc Raiders roadmap (maps, events, weapons, ARC etc) will be free and available to all players. Note that cosmetic items are the exception here, and may be added as paid-for items via the in-game store.
When is the next Arc Raiders update?
The next Arc Raiders update is the Cold Snap drop, launching December 16, 2025. This adds new map conditions, the Expedition Departure window, and a brand new Raider Deck to work through.
When is the next Arc Raiders map coming out?
The next map to release in Arc Raiders has yet to be announced. There will be new map conditions in December, however, adding snow to existing maps.
➡️ Read our full guide to the best PC controllers
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Xbox Wireless Controller
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GameSir T4 Kaleid
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Razer Wolverine V3 Pro
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