EN FEB 10, 2026 •
3 min read

ARC Raiders: Understanding and Navigating DDoS Attacks

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Quick Summary

ARC Raiders, along with The Finals, has been experiencing extensive and coordinated Distributed Denial-of-Service (DDoS) attacks, leading to significant server instability, matchmaking issues, and in-game lag. Developer Embark Studios has acknowledged these ongoing attacks and is actively working on mitigations and solutions, advising players to be cautious when logging in to avoid potential loss of in-game items.

◈ Navigation Index ▼
  • 01 Introduction to DDoS Attacks on ARC Raiders
  • 02 Impact on Players and Gameplay
  • 03 Developer Response and Mitigation Efforts
  • 04 Player Recommendations During DDoS Attacks
  • 05 Understanding Distributed Denial-of-Service (DDoS) Attacks

Introduction to DDoS Attacks on ARC Raiders

ARC Raiders, the extraction shooter developed by Embark Studios, has recently faced significant disruptions due to extensive and coordinated Distributed Denial-of-Service (DDoS) attacks. These attacks have also impacted Embark's other title, The Finals. The issues became particularly noticeable following the launch of the game's 'Headwinds' update.

Impact on Players and Gameplay

The DDoS attacks have led to a range of severe problems for ARC Raiders players, significantly hindering the gameplay experience:

  • Server Instability and Matchmaking Issues: Players have reported difficulties entering matches and experiencing persistent lag once in-game.
  • In-game Performance Problems: Issues such as 'rubber banding,' where a player's character teleports back to a previous position, have been observed. Some players have also been stuck on loading screens while attempting to join new lobbies.
  • Loss of Loot and Progress: A critical concern for players is the potential loss of in-game loot and items due to server disconnections or instability. Embark community managers have even advised players to be careful when logging in to avoid accidentally losing items.
  • Other Bugs and Unintended Changes: Alongside the DDoS attacks, a recent 'Headwinds' update introduced other issues, including an unintentional reduced fire rate for several weapons, missing cosmetics, and slowed loot appearance speed. These issues are being addressed through a separate hotfix.

    • Developer Response and Mitigation Efforts

    Embark Studios has been transparent about the ongoing situation, communicating updates through official channels, including their Discord server. According to community managers like Ossen, both ARC Raiders and The Finals have been under "extensive, coordinated DDoS attacks".

    The studio's "strike team has been working hard on mitigations and solutions to fix the problem" and has reported making good progress, although the attacks were still ongoing as of recent reports. In addition to combating the DDoS attacks, the development team is also working on a hotfix to address other bugs and unintended changes introduced by the 'Headwinds' update. While the exact timing of the hotfix's release is dependent on the server stability, Embark aims to roll it out as soon as possible.

    Player Recommendations During DDoS Attacks

    Given the ongoing nature of the DDoS attacks and their impact on game stability, players are advised to consider the following:

  • Stay Informed: Monitor official ARC Raiders and Embark Studios channels (such as Discord and social media) for the latest updates on server status and mitigation progress.
  • Exercise Caution When Logging In: To prevent the potential loss of valuable in-game loot, it is recommended to be cautious or even avoid logging into the game during periods of confirmed server instability. If server issues are ongoing, playing might result in losing any items acquired during a raid.
  • Understand the Risks: Be aware that playing during a DDoS attack can lead to an unstable experience, including lag, disconnections, and potential loss of progress or items.

    • Understanding Distributed Denial-of-Service (DDoS) Attacks

    A Distributed Denial-of-Service (DDoS) attack is a malicious attempt to disrupt the normal traffic of a targeted server, service, or network by overwhelming the target or its surrounding infrastructure with a flood of internet traffic. In the context of online gaming, this means that the game's servers are bombarded with a high volume of traffic from multiple compromised computer systems, making the service unavailable to legitimate users. Embark Studios CEO Patrick Söderlund has likened dealing with cheaters to DDoS attacks, noting that developers must constantly strive to be a step ahead.

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    [ System Notice ]

    This content was generated by AI. Information may be unverified and could have changed due to game updates. Verify critical data before proceeding.

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    FAQ Database

    Q.01 What are the 'DDoS attacks' affecting ARC Raiders?
    ▼

    The 'DDoS attacks' are extensive and coordinated Distributed Denial-of-Service attacks targeting ARC Raiders' servers, as well as those for The Finals. These attacks overwhelm the game's servers with traffic, causing disruptions for players.

    Q.02 How do the DDoS attacks impact ARC Raiders gameplay?
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    The attacks cause server instability, matchmaking issues, persistent lag, 'rubber banding,' and can lead to players getting stuck on loading screens or losing in-game loot.

    Q.03 What is Embark Studios doing to address the DDoS attacks?
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    Embark Studios has a 'strike team' actively working on mitigations and solutions to counter the ongoing DDoS attacks. They are also preparing a hotfix to address other bugs introduced by a recent update.

    Q.04 Should I play ARC Raiders during a DDoS attack?
    ▼

    Embark community managers have advised players to be careful when logging in during these times to avoid potentially losing items. Playing during server instability carries the risk of losing loot and experiencing a disrupted gameplay session.

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