The First Big Arc Raiders Update of 2026 Adds Solo vs. Squads Matchmaking, 'Bird City,' and More Tomorrow

Developer Embark Studios is launching into caller Arc Raiders contented erstwhile the Headwinds update brings a solo vs. squads matchmaking option, a Bird City representation condition, and much to the acquisition tomorrow.

Following a fewer societal media teases and a period of waiting, Embark confirmed plans to present the archetypal existent contented driblet of 2026 with a tense teaser trailer and merchandise day of January 27 conscionable moments ago. The announcement has the Headwinds update acceptable to bring a acceptable of smaller additions to PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X | S tomorrow, arsenic fans hold to truly get the shot rolling successful February.

Although the adjacent caller map, caller Arc threats, and large representation conditions won’t get for a fewer much weeks, the January update sets Arc Raiders up for each of its aboriginal plans. Solo vs. squads matchmaking is astir apt the biggest summation here, with Embark describing the caller queue enactment arsenic a mode to fto the much skilled players truly trial their mettle.

Where players frankincense acold had been pitted against squads of adjacent count, solo vs. squads is lone disposable to those implicit level 40, allowing them to lucifer arsenic a solo Raider against teams of arsenic galore arsenic 3 radical for other XP. Players volition besides payment from quality-of-life changes with unfastened parties, which let players to articulation betwixt matches, and expanded squad invites, which lets squadmates invitation further players directly.

Arc Raiders players tin besides look guardant to a alternatively bizarre caller insignificant representation information for Buried City called Bird City. It’s much than a cheeky play connected words, arsenic it sees the colonisation of topside birds swarming arsenic they permission amended loot connected apical of buildings. Other highlights from the Headwinds update see an Arc Trophy display, a caller semipermanent subordinate project, caller quests, the Sandwalker cosmetic set, and what Embark describes arsenic “a range” of gameplay updates and adjustments.

“Headwinds is astir opening up caller ways for the assemblage to attack ARC Raiders and further challenges for precocious players,” Embark plan manager Virgil Watkins said successful a statement. “Between the expanded matchmaking options, caller representation information and caller subordinate project, we’re excited to spot however Raiders accommodate and experimentation — and we can’t hold to spot the unexpected, comic moments and abbreviated clips the assemblage starts creating arsenic the update rolls out.”

Headwinds is the archetypal of a four-phase roadmap that has contented scheduled retired done April 2026. Next connected the docket is the Shrouded Sky update, which adds a caller representation condition, Arc threat, subordinate project, representation update, Raider Deck, and much sometime successful February. Flashpoint volition past get successful March with different representation information and Scrappy update, with Riven Tides rounding things retired with a caller representation and a caller ample Arc successful April.

Arc Raiders launched for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X | S October 30, 2025. For much portion Embark’s 2026 plans rotation out, you tin work up connected however the developer feels astir players who spawn into matches late. You tin besides cheque retired the real-life Stella Montis edifice that Arc Raiders fans person bombarded with affirmative reviews.

Michael Cripe is simply a freelance writer with IGN. He's champion known for his enactment astatine sites similar The Pitch, The Escapist, and OnlySP. Be definite to springiness him a travel connected Bluesky (@mikecripe.bsky.social) and Twitter (@MikeCripe).