Embark Studios has officially revealed the details of the upcoming Cold Snap winter update for ARC Raiders, confirming the release date, new map conditions, seasonal events, and a host of rewards and features aimed at keeping players engaged through the holiday season.
This patch represents the second major content release since the game’s late-October launch and continues the developer’s strong post-launch cadence.
The Cold Snap update will arrive on December 16, 2025, rolling out globally for players on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. It introduces a dynamic snowfall map condition that blankets familiar maps like Dam Battlegrounds, Buried City, Spaceport, and The Blue Gate in icy weather.
Snowstorms drastically reduce visibility, freeze over water, and transform the battlefield’s appearance, while a new frostbite survival mechanic causes health to drain if Raiders stay in the cold too long. Surviving the harsh conditions will require careful planning, strategic use of shelter, and thoughtful loadouts as players adapt to the new environmental pressure.
Alongside the weather overhaul, Embark is activating two limited-time seasonal activities that coincide with Cold Snap: the Flickering Flames event and the Candleberry Banquet Project.
The Flickering Flames event functions as a challenge track in which players earn Merits — a core progression currency — by completing matches and objectives over a series of levels. Rewards include Raider Tokens, cosmetic items, gear, and more, encouraging both individual and community progress.
The Candleberry Banquet Project builds on the thematic winter survival concept by tasking Raiders with scavenging Candleberries and other unique seasonal items topside. Each stage of the Banquet Project reveals new banquet table scenes and grants valuable rewards, including items that also feed into Flickering Flames progression, providing a layered incentive for exploration and teamwork during the event’s duration.
Cold Snap also expands progression systems with the addition of a second Raider Deck, a free and permanent progression track unlocked for all players. Starting December 26, the Goalie Raider Deck will grant cosmetic items, Raider Tokens, new feats, and unique themed gear such as a hockey-inspired outfit and a hockey stick Raider tool, giving players more customization and progression options without needing to spend extra money.
Beyond seasonal content, the update introduces new quests that deepen engagement with both the winter holiday narrative and ongoing game challenges.
According to the official roadmap, Cold Snap also marks the opening of the first Expedition Project Raider departure window, which gives players the option to reset their Raider progression and tackle fresh long-term challenges with carry-over rewards — a feature that adds replayability and strategic choice as players prepare for post-2025 content.
The Cold Snap event, including Flickering Flames and the Candleberry Banquet Project, will run through January 13, 2026, giving the community nearly a month of seasonal weather conditions, quests, and reward systems to enjoy.
As ARC Raiders continues evolving with meaningful seasonal updates and community incentives, Embark Studios seems committed to expanding the game’s world and systems in ways that keep both casual and core players invested well into the next year.
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