Embark Studios confirmed the December 16, 2025 release date for Arc Raiders' Cold Snap update. The winter expansion brings Snowfall weather conditions, temperature survival mechanics, and the Flickering Flames event to the extraction shooter.
This update caps off the roadmap Embark revealed at the game's late October launch. Cold Snap lands just one day before the December 17 Expedition Departure window opens, letting players reset progression and send raiders on extended missions.
Winter Weather Transforms Combat
Snowfall arrives as the update's centerpiece, blanketing existing maps in snow and ice. Embark Studios stated "A new Snowfall weather system lands this December, bringing heavy blizzards that slash visibility and make every fight way more unpredictable."
Heavy blizzards cut visibility during firefights, making combat encounters far less predictable. Sight lines collapse and combat clarity drops sharply when weather conditions roll in.
The system goes beyond visual changes. Embark confirmed Snowfall affects loot spawn locations and enemy spawn patterns across winter maps. Raiders need to adapt their farming routes and combat strategies when conditions shift.
The exact mechanics of how spawns change under Snowfall haven't been detailed yet.
Temperature Mechanics Add Survival Layer
Cold Snap introduces temperature as a survival mechanic, though Embark hasn't fully explained how it works. A teaser image showed a collapsed raider in snow, suggesting cold exposure has real consequences.
Players have speculated about possible implementations. Some think raiders might need to limit time in extreme cold or use incendiary grenades for warmth during extended exposure. Others theorized cosmetic clothing could provide temperature resistance, though that faces pushback as potentially pay-to-win.
These are community theories based on teaser materials. Embark hasn't confirmed specific implementation details for the temperature system or how players counter cold exposure.
Flickering Flames Event and New Content
The Flickering Flames event launches alongside Cold Snap as a time-limited seasonal activity. It adds winter objectives across snow-covered maps, creating what Embark described as a "harsher and more desperate vibe."
The event challenges players to complete special tasks while navigating winter conditions. Embark hasn't disclosed event duration or specific objective details.
New quests arrive with the update, giving players fresh progression goals. The new Raider Deck battle pass offers cosmetics and rewards for completing challenges, providing content that'll last until the next major update.
Developer Communication
Embark announced the release date through the official Arc Raiders X account. The post featured "A cold snap is coming" alongside December 16, paired with an image of a fallen raider surrounded by snow. The cryptic teaser left mechanical details unconfirmed.
The developer's content strategy shows consistent delivery through the game's early months. Embark dropped the Stella Montis map during the North Line update earlier in December, maintaining momentum heading into the holidays.
Strategic Gameplay Shifts
Weather conditions and temperature survival change Arc Raiders' tactical framework. Teams now coordinate through blizzards and manage temperature exposure on top of standard combat and positioning.
Altered loot spawns and enemy patterns under Snowfall force raiders to rethink established routes. Familiar map knowledge becomes less reliable when environmental conditions change how content distributes across zones.
What's Next After Cold Snap?
Cold Snap closes out the current roadmap, leaving 2026 plans unclear. Embark hasn't commented on what follows this winter update. The absence of a new roadmap suggests the developer will either reveal 2026 content separately or assess Cold Snap's reception first.
The weather system creates framework for future environmental modifiers beyond winter themes. If temperature mechanics land well, they could template other survival systems down the line.
Expedition Departure Opens December 17
The Expedition Departure window opens one day after Cold Snap launches. This first opt-in character wipe lets players reset progression and send raiders on expeditions. The close timing between updates suggests Embark designed the two-part release to keep engagement high through the holiday period.
Embark hasn't detailed what benefits players receive for participating in Expedition Departure or how long expeditions last.
Update Value for Players
Cold Snap delivers substantial content for existing players. Snowfall alone transforms familiar maps into fresh tactical challenges. Temperature mechanics add a survival dimension that changes how extended engagements play out.
New players jumping in after December 16 will learn tactics alongside veterans as everyone adapts to temperature systems and weather-affected spawns. The Flickering Flames event and new quests provide structured progression regardless of experience level.
Arc Raiders has maintained consistent Steam chart presence since October. Coverage has described it as one of the year's standout multiplayer shooters, though that comes from media outlets rather than Embark's marketing.
The winter update combines environmental hazards, survival mechanics, and seasonal events into one package. For fans of tactical extraction shooters with evolving challenges and limited-time content, Cold Snap represents significant development investment in expanding the game's mechanical complexity.
Cold Snap launches December 16, 2025 for all regions, with the Expedition Departure window opening December 17.
