Key information
Embark Studios announced that Arc Raiders will be available for free from October 8 to October 12, 2026, coinciding with the release of the Frozen Trail update. Published on October 5, 2026, the announcement confirms that full game access will be provided across Steam, PlayStation, and Xbox without content restrictions during the four-day period.
The Frozen Trail update represents the largest expansion for the title to date, introducing the large Pendola Pass map, new Arc category enemies, unreleased weapons, and gadgets. The update also brings a traditional battle pass format, alongside significant adjustments to the metagame, ammunition, and the crafting system.
While the new map requires progression to unlock, players can enter Pendola Pass earlier if they join a squad led by someone who has already unlocked the region. Additionally, following the free period, Embark Studios will host a PvE test from October 13 to October 20, 2026, where player-versus-player damage will be disabled.
