Embark has shared a detailed ARC Raiders anti-cheat update ahead of the game’s October 8 update. The studio says accounts caught using cheats now receive permanent bans, including first-time offenders, while further changes aim to stop banned players from returning.
Executive producer Aleks also acknowledged that Embark was previously too cautious with permanent bans. Alongside stricter enforcement, the team reports early success against coordinated teaming in solo lobbies.
In brief:
- Accounts caught using cheats now receive permanent bans, with no warnings or second chances.
- Embark has expanded game license restrictions and tightened enforcement against linked accounts.
- Broader hardware ban coverage is planned for later this year.
- Embark reports 85% fewer players engaging in coordinated solo queue teaming after a matchmaking change.
ARC Raiders Cheaters Now Face Permanent Bans on Their First Offense
In its official anti-cheat update, Embark acknowledges that its earlier approach to first-time cheaters needed to change. Permanent bans are now standard for all known cheat programs.
As such, players caught using cheats no longer get an initial warning or another opportunity to keep playing on that account.
The studio has also strengthened restrictions around game ownership and account connections:
- License restrictions: A sanctioned copy of the game cannot be used to play through another account.
- Linked account bans: Any account that has previously been associated with a banned copy of the game will also receive a permanent ban.
These measures target the routes repeat offenders use to return after losing an account.
Embark Is Expanding ARC Raiders Hardware Bans
Hardware bans already allow Embark to block the game from running on a machine when it has enough evidence that the system is being used for cheating.
The studio says it recently lowered the threshold for applying these bans as its detection capabilities improved. It is also developing a solution that would expand the number of systems it can target.
Embark hopes to introduce that improvement later this year, with the aim of making hardware sanctions available against almost all systems caught running cheat software. That remains a planned improvement, with no firm release date announced.
The team also acknowledges that cheat developers keep finding ways around hardware restrictions, so maintaining their effectiveness requires continued fixes.
Solo Queue Teaming Changes Show Early Results
One of the update’s clearest results concerns players who coordinate before a match to enter the same solo lobby and attack other Raiders together.
After spending months developing detection tools, Embark began separating known teaming groups in matchmaking. The studio reports that, after five days:
- The number of players engaging in this behavior fell by 85%.
- Raids affected by this abuse dropped from roughly 1 in 50 to 1 in 300.
- Queue times saw no meaningful impact.
These figures specifically concern coordinated queue teaming. They do not represent an 85% reduction in cheating across the entire game.
Making friends during a raid is still allowed. Players can meet through proximity chat and decide to cooperate. The enforcement targets players who arrange to enter a solo lobby together beforehand to gain an unfair advantage.
How ARC Raiders Detects Cheats and Why Bans Can Take Time
Embark says its detection systems combine Denuvo kernel-level protection, Anybrain detections, and internally developed models using machine learning and other data.
The studio is also exploring Elytra, an additional anti-cheat capability currently undergoing small-scale testing in THE FINALS. Embark wants to eventually test it in ARC Raiders, but has not announced a date.
As for why a player can appear to cheat without being immediately banned, Embark says detection sometimes requires evidence across multiple instances. Acting on suspicious behavior alone risks penalizing legitimate players.
The team also reviews videos and livestreams manually, taking action when footage provides clear evidence. Human involvement remains part of the appeals process, giving players a way to challenge sanctions.
As of writing, the permanent ban policy and matchmaking changes are already in effect. Wider hardware ban coverage and potential Elytra testing are among the next steps Embark is working toward.
