ARC Raiders brings back Cold Snap, adds Shared Watch event through Feb. 24

ARC Raiders’ latest update is out now, and it brings back the Cold Snap map condition alongside a limited-time co-op focused event called Shared Watch. There are also a couple of new cosmetic sets in the patch.

Shared Watch runs from now through February 24. The idea is simple: work with other Raiders instead of hunting them. You’ll earn merits for damaging and destroying ARC, plus assisting other players in doing the same. PvP doesn’t pay out merits during the event, so it’s basically a nudge toward cooperation (or at least staying out of each other’s way). Merits can be turned in for rewards.

Cold Snap is back in the rotation on outdoor maps. If you stay topside too long without planning for it, you’ll still take frostbite damage, so you’ll need to manage shelter and survival if you want to keep pushing your run. The tradeoff is better loot if you can handle the risk. Snowballs are also back if you feel like messing around, and Candleberries are available again, though they aren’t tied to a specific event this time.

On the cosmetics front, today’s patch adds the Vulpine and Slugger sets, per the patch notes.

Embark also reiterated plans for ARC Raiders’ second Expedition, which is set to start March 1. Sign-ups open February 25, and it’s framed as a fresh-start, accelerated progression server event. According to the Expedition details, this one includes a skill point catch-up system (with discounted catch-up points) and a lowered Stash value requirement for maximum rewards. If you missed the first Expedition, you’ll start by earning those earlier rewards during this run.

Arc Raiders continues to perform exceptionally well on Steam, peaking at over 200,000 concurrent players daily. I’ve sunk 20 or so hours into the game myself and aside from some duping issues, my biggest concern with the game is its limited amount of content.