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Embark has shared part of the Arc Raiders 2026 roadmap. The developer has previously touted “ambitious” plans for its first full year of post-launch support, and the studio has now explicitly outlined what players can expect from January through April. These plans include a new map, new map conditions every month, and the imminent arrival of a new matchmaking option.
Arc Raiders 2026 roadmap
Below is the Arc Raiders 2026 roadmap for January through April:
January – Headwinds:
- New matchmaking option (level 40+)
- New minor map condition
- Player project
February – Shrouded Sky:
- New map condition
- New Arc threat
- Player project
- Raider deck
- Map update
- Expedition window
March – Flashpoint:
- New map condition
- New Arc threat
- Player project
- Scrappy update
April – Riven Tides:
- New map
- New large Arc
- New map condition
- Expedition window
Arc Raiders 2026 roadmap explained
As shown in the Arc Raiders 2026 roadmap, a new map condition will arrive every month. Map conditions are special environmental hazards, such as the Cold Snap winter event, which introduced frostbite damage and reduced visibility due to heavy snow.
Embark has not elaborated on the upcoming map conditions. However, February features a wind icon, while March shows lightning, possibly alluding to heavy winds and storm-like conditions.
The biggest update is that players will need to wait until April for Embark’s newest map since Stella Montis was added in November 2025. The new map’s icon resembles a beach umbrella, possibly hinting at a new location filled with beaches and water.
Embark has teased several new maps for 2026, with some described as being “grander than what we’ve got now”. This likely means more new maps will be introduced later in the year, starting from May onward.
April will also introduce a new large Arc. These are massive, powerful robotic-style boss enemies, with existing examples including The Queen, The Matriarch, and The Rocketeer. While nothing is known about April’s new large Arc, its icon features a foreboding skull, signaling a deadly new threat.
Headwinds update coming January 27
On X, Embark has confirmed that the Headwinds update will arrive on January 27. This update introduces a new minor map condition alongside the new level 40+ matchmaking option.
This matchmaking option will presumably ensure that you are only matched with other players above level 40, which would theoretically benefit both newcomers and more experienced players.
The new matchmaking option could also help combat stream snipers, as promised by Embark as part of “significant changes” to fix the problem with cheaters, complained about by high-profile streamers on Twitch such as Shroud.
Since launching on October 30, 2025, Arc Raiders has been a major success, selling over 12 million copies and retaining more than 90% of its player base. This stands in stark contrast to most other new live-service multiplayer games released in 2025 that lost over 90% of their players.
With Embark’s plans for the first quarter of 2026 now revealed, it will be interesting to see whether Arc Raiders can maintain its momentum, particularly with other live-service titles on the horizon, including Highguard and Marathon.
Beyond what has been revealed so far, Embark has also stated that it has a “good appetite” for introducing a social space similar to the Tower in Destiny 2.
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