Embark Studios’ hit extraction shooter Arc Raiders is getting a new major update on January 27, kicking off a four-month update roadmap announced last week. The latest update, titled “Headwind,” brings new solo and squad matchmaking options, new items for earning rewards, new minimap conditions, and more.
The Headwinds update will be available on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series S/X on January 27th. This update is the first major update to bring new game features and map conditions since December’s Cold Snap update (bringing ice-covered maps, new looks, and more).
Headwind update feature for Arc Raiders
The Headwind update for Arc Raiders will add solo and squad matchmaking options for players above level 40. Eligible players will be able to queue individually in the Squad Lobby and compete in additional challenges with groups of players. Embark confirmed in a blog post on Monday that solo players will receive extra XP when playing against squads.
The Headwinds update will also add a new player item called Trophy Display. As part of the project, players will be able to level up and unlock rewards as they kill more Arc Robots.
📡Attention guide!
The ice has melted – the unprepared attackers have fallen, and the tenacious survivors must press on. Here’s what’s coming tomorrow when Headwind launches!
Solo VS Squad
• New matchmaking option for LV40+ Raiders, fight as a solo Raider against a full squad for higher stakes… pic.twitter.com/Rg69cT3gil— ARC Raiders (@ARCRaidersGame) January 26, 2026
The new update also brings a minimap condition called “Bird City.” The Buried City map in Arc Raiders will have valuable loot hidden in chimneys as part of the conditions.
Finally, the Headwind update will add the Sandcrawler Set cosmetic set.
Arc Raiders Content Roadmap
Embark Studios announced the upgrade roadmap for “Arc Raiders” last week, detailing the game’s major updates from January to April 2026. The four-month content roadmap will bring new enemies, maps, conditions, or other changes to the game.
Following January’s Headwind update, Arc Raiders will receive the Shrouded Sky update in February, which will include new map conditions, new Arc threats, player items, new Raider decks, and map updates.
In March, Embark Studios will roll out the Flashpoint update, bringing another map condition, Arc threats, player items, and Scrappy updates. Finally in April, the Rift Tides update will add a new full map for Arc Raiders, as well as a new large Arc robot and a new map condition.
Arc Raiders launches on October 30, 2025, and includes four maps: Dam Battlefield, Buried City, Spaceport and Blue Gate, as well as the Practice Range. The fifth map, “Stella Montis,” is part of the November update. The game received a Cold Snap update during the December holiday season.
Earlier this month, Embark and publisher Nexon announced that Arc Raiders has sold 12.4 million copies on PS5, Xbox Series S/X and PC. The escape shooter also hit a record of nearly one million simultaneous players in January.
Embark confirmed in an interview that “Arc Raiders” will launch multiple new maps in 2026.
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