9 December 2025

ARC Raiders Reveals Cold Snap Release Date

By newsgame

After over a month-long wait since it was announced, ARC Raiders‘ highly anticipated Cold Snap update has finally received an official release date of December 16, 2025. With the game’s player count beginning to decline (if only in the slightest), the announcement made via ARC Raiders‘ official X account is very timely, as the update is expected to bring back players who have been awaiting something new in the game since they completed the majority of its content.

It was recently revealed that ARC Raiders‘ first Expedition wipe would occur two days later than originally scheduled, moving it from December 15 to December 17, so it’s possible Cold Snap was initially meant to launch on December 14 but was delayed by a couple of days as well. Taking that into consideration, this could be ARC Raiders‘ way of justifying the wipe from a lore/immersion perspective, with the update bringing harsh environmental changes to each map that could temporarily alter the way the game is played.

What to Expect From ARC Raiders’ Cold Snap Update

Snowfall map condition — Cold Snap will add a winter-themed weather condition to existing maps: snow, likely affecting visibility and ambience
New Raider Deck — Players will get access to a fresh Raider Deck when Cold Snap drops
New quests — The update will add new quests to complete
New “Flickering Flames” event — A time-limited event tied to Cold Snap, similar to the recent “Breaking New Ground” event
First Expedition begins — As part of Cold Snap, the game will enable the first Expedition, giving players a chance to reset their Raider progress

ARC Raiders’ Cold Snap Update Could Be a Game-Changer

While ARC Raiders hasn’t yet revealed the grittiest details about how the Cold Snap update will unfold from a gameplay perspective, what has been confirmed already sounds like it could freshen up the core gameplay experience while simultaneously giving players a reason to return to the fray. The new snowfall weather condition alone should make each map feel unfamiliar, even to those who have poured countless hours into the game learning them. In light of ARC Raiders‘ prolific audio design, new ambient noises are expected with Cold Snap, potentially making it even more difficult to travel outside without being heard.

It’s safe to assume the snow will impact visibility as well, meaning players will need to use their ears even more if they expect to survive. The game’s rain already accomplishes this, so snow is expected to take those dynamics even further. It’s also possible the snow could reach heights that are significant enough to close off buildings and lower areas that were once accessible on each of ARC Raiders‘ maps, forcing players to adapt any routes they’re acquainted with. Finally, it might make sense for the game to temporarily make each round shorter than usual, since the weather conditions are being marketed as harsh, thereby requiring quicker movement and decision-making from players.

What Cold Snap Could Mean for ARC Raiders’ First Expedition Wipe

With ARC Raiders‘ Cold Snap update being the big update that’s supposed to bring in the first Expedition wipe, it’s worth considering what that could mean for those who are preparing to send their first Raider off for good in exchange for a fresh start. At the moment, ARC Raiders‘ bonus Expedition skill points don’t seem worth it, considering they require players to have 1,000,000 Coins-worth of items and money in their stash just to get one. However, Cold Snap could have a positive effect on that.

How ARC Raiders‘ Cold Snap update could factor into the first Expedition wipe:

More valuable loot drops
Increased drop rate for rare items
Greater quest rewards

While many players have already completed the requirements for ARC Raiders‘ first Expedition, Cold Snap could influence the value of their departure in ways that Embark has not fully detailed yet. If the update increases loot quality or expands the number of high-tier items that can drop in snowy conditions, for instance, players who spend the final days before the wipe farming under the new weather may walk away with a more profitable stash than expected. Even a modest bump in average item value could push some players into the next skill point bracket, which would make the wipe feel more rewarding than it currently appears on paper.

These speculations haven’t been confirmed yet, but Cold Snap nonetheless already feels like it could be more than just a seasonal update. If nothing else, the update’s timing ensures that every player will have to decide how much value they can realistically earn during the short window before ARC Raiders‘ first Expedition wipe takes place on December 22, 2025.