Players can dive into the full ARC Raiders experience for free this October, as the game launches its most significant update to date.
The silence of the Rust Belt is about to be broken. For four days, the threshold between the safety of the base and the lethal, machine-dominated frontier of the Topside will vanish for anyone willing to step out and fight.
Beginning October 8 at 09:00 UTC and running until October 12 at 08:00 UTC, 2026, ARC Raiders will open its gates to everyone. During this window, the extraction adventure will be free to play across Steam, Xbox, and PlayStation. This is not a restricted demo; the event grants full access to the game. allowing new players to explore the world. scavenge for high-value tech. and face the existential threat posed by the ARC and the downed Emperor.
This window coincides with the arrival of Frozen Trail, the game’s largest update since launch. The timing offers a unique advantage for newcomers: those who team up with players who have already unlocked the new map will gain immediate access to the Pendola Pass.
For those weighing the risks of the Topside. the event serves as an open invitation to test the game’s mechanics—from tactical combat to the high-stakes extraction cycle—before committing to a purchase. With friends in tow. the challenge of surviving the ARC becomes a shared venture rather than a lonely trek into the wilderness.
Whether the goal is to dismantle the machine presence or simply survive long enough to extract with riches, the next few days determine if these new recruits have what it takes to survive on the surface.
ARC Raiders free to play gaming Frozen Trail extraction shooter Steam Xbox PlayStation