Arc Raiders’ anti-cheat overhaul is coming — but will it actually fix the mess?

Why Embark’s anti-cheat promise matters – and why I’m skeptical

Embark Studios has openly admitted what players have been yelling for months: Arc Raiders has a serious cheating problem. That matters because Arc Raiders is not a casual looter-it’s an extraction shooter built around risk, loot, and meaningful loss. When people can shoot through walls, glitch out of the map, or become invulnerable, the entire feedback loop that makes extraction games tense and rewarding collapses. This caught my attention because Arc Raiders recently peaked at 3.2 million daily users-scale + high-stakes gameplay = prime target for cheaters, and now Embark says it’s prioritizing fixes over new content.

• Key takeaway 1: Embark promises a multi-part anti-cheat push—ruleset changes, better detection, stronger bans, client-side fixes, and streamer tools.
• Key takeaway 2: There’s no firm timeline beyond “next few weeks,” so expect volatility while systems roll out.
• Key takeaway 3: You can reduce exposure now by adjusting playstyle, reporting intelligently, and locking down your PC/account.

Breaking down what Embark actually promised

Across Discord and press outlets, Embark committed to “significant changes” including updated rulesets, backend detection upgrades, improvements to their anti-cheat foundation, client-side patches for the notorious “out of map” exploit, and streamer tools to mitigate stream sniping. Their quote sums it up: “Over the next few weeks, we are implementing significant changes to our rulesets and deploying new detection mechanisms to identify and remove cheaters. This includes updating our Anti-Cheat systems for improved detection and bans, as well as applying client-side fixes specifically addressing the ‘out of map’ glitch. Furthermore, we are introducing tools for streamers to help mitigate stream sniping.”

That reads well on paper. The truth makers will be (1) how quickly detection actually rolls out, (2) whether bans are escalated from temporary to permanent for repeat offenders, and (3) whether client-side fixes close the specific exploits streamers and players are abusing. Past reporting suggests Embark has been somewhat soft—many repeat offenders received 30-day bans. If they only tweak the punishment window without improving detection, cheaters will still churn in and out.

Why now: scale, streamers, and public pressure

Arc Raiders blew up over a holiday period and now sits among 2025-26’s headline extraction shooters. That attention is a double-edged sword—streamers and high-MMR players amplify cheater clips, which fuels angry headlines and player churn. Embark’s decision to pause content pushes in favor of anti-cheat reflects both the PR pressure and the commercial reality: you can’t keep a live-service game healthy if your base feels the rules aren’t enforced.

How bad is cheating right now—and who feels it most?

The problem is top-heavy. Streamers and high-skill PvP mains report cheaters far more often than casual or PvE-leaning players, partly because they play aggressive roads and get focused by stream snipers. That said, there’s ample evidence that exploits like out-of-map shooting and invulnerability are widespread enough to break the core loop for many players, particularly on PC.

What you should do right now (practical steps)

• Lock down accounts: Enable 2FA on Steam/console accounts and remove any dubious drivers or cheat tools from your PC.
• Stop using borderline tools: Hardware macros or injectors that “help aim” are riskier now—don’t test anti-cheat boundaries.
• Report and clip smartly: Use short, focused clips and in-game reports with categories (aimbot, wallhack, exploit). Repeated patterns, not single lucky shots, make a solid case.
• Play to avoid cheaters: Embark added aggression-based matchmaking—lowering your aggression (avoid hot drops, prioritize extraction) can move you into quieter lobbies.
• Tactical adjustments: Favor close, cover-heavy engagements, rotate early or late, and extract with decent loot rather than courting a risky late-game dogfight in a suspicious lobby.

For streamers: what to expect and what to do

Embark says tools to mitigate stream sniping are coming—likely queue obfuscation, anonymized names, and UI options to hide lobby info. Until then, add a 15-60s stream delay, avoid broadcasting detailed minimap or server info, and use local overlay/streaming settings that hide queue times and regions. These are not glamorous fixes, but they blunt real-time targeting.

What to watch for and my skeptical read

“Next few weeks” is vague. Anti-cheat improvements can be iterative—or they can require kernel-level drivers that spark performance or compatibility headaches. My skeptical read: Embark is committed, but this will be a multi-month process. Immediate improvements will likely reduce the most blatant exploiters, but expect cat-and-mouse cycles as cheat authors adapt. The real long-term test is whether Embark follows through with permanent bans and transparent appeal/reporting processes.

TL;DR

Embark has acknowledged a major cheating problem and promised a multi-pronged fix. That’s the right move, but don’t assume the battle is won yet—no firm timetable and a history of soft punishments mean we should watch ban severity, detection rollout, and client fixes closely. Meanwhile, players can reduce exposure by lowering aggression, locking down accounts, recording evidence, and adjusting tactics to protect loot and sanity.