The December 2025 “Cold Snap” update for Arc Raiders delivers one of the game’s biggest seasonal content drops to date. Following November’s successful North Line update, Cold Snap expands the game with new weather conditions, community events, quests, and progression systems designed to keep players engaged throughout the winter season.
New Gameplay Features in the Cold Snap Update
Snowfall Map Condition
A major highlight of the update is the new Snowfall map condition. During snowfall, intense winter weather reduces visibility, alters movement, and reshapes combat strategy. Tracking enemies becomes more difficult, encouraging stealth, slower pacing, and new tactical approaches. The freezing atmosphere also adds environmental tension that impacts every raid cheap ARC Raiders Redeem Codes for sale.
Flickering Flames Seasonal Event
Cold Snap introduces Flickering Flames, a winter-themed community event centered around survival in harsh conditions. Players may need to maintain heat sources, secure fuel, or manage temperature levels while facing both PvP threats and environmental dangers. The event adds an immersive layer of pressure that transforms familiar maps into colder, more hostile battlegrounds.
Expedition Project Raider Reset (Optional)
A unique feature of the update is the optional Expedition Project Raider Reset, an 8-week limited-time progression system ending with a “departure window” in mid-December. Players who opt in will reset their raider’s progression and resources but will keep:
- All cosmetics
- Blueprint collection
- Raider Deck progression
This system gives experienced players a fresh start and revitalizes the in-game economy—without punishing casual players who prefer to maintain their current progress.
New Raider Deck
Cold Snap launches a new Raider Deck (battle pass) with over 100 tiers of rewards. It contains:
- New cosmetics
- Blueprints
- Currencies
- Seasonal collectibles
The deck is designed to motivate long-term engagement through the winter season.
Seasonal Quests
New quests tied to the Snowfall condition and Flickering Flames event add narrative depth and more structured goals. These quests guide players through seasonal challenges and offer additional rewards for completing winter-themed objectives.
Developer Goals and Long-Term Impact
Embark Studios continues to shift Arc Raiders toward a true live-service model supported by consistent content cycles. The Cold Snap update reinforces this direction by:
- Introducing impactful environmental mechanics
- Supporting community-driven seasonal events
- Offering an innovative progression reset option
- Expanding seasonal rewards through the Raider Deck
Together, these changes aim to preserve player investment while keeping gameplay fresh and engaging.
Conclusion
The Cold Snap update brings a full suite of winter-themed content to Arc Raiders, including dynamic snowfall weather, a tense survival event, new quests, a refreshed Raider Deck, and a voluntary progression reset system. These additions enrich tactical gameplay and strengthen the game’s long-term live-service foundation, making December a highly rewarding time for both returning and active players.
