Nexon and its subsidiary Embark Studios have rolled out their third update for the PvPvE extraction shooter ARC Raiders, titled 'Against the Wind'. It is packed with new map environments, matchmaking tweaks, long-term progression projects, and a fresh set of quests.

First up, we have the new map environment, 'City of Birds'. The concept is simple: birds have nested on the rooftops of a buried city, filling countless chimneys with their presence. You are encouraged to scavenge these hidden bird havens for rare trinkets and the elusive 'rubber duck'. Just be prepared to fend off a greater number of airborne ARC enemies while navigating the rooftops.

Next, the developers have introduced a 'Solo vs Squad' matchmaking option. This allows lone wolves to queue into squad matches and face off against teams directly. As a nod to the added risk, solo players will receive a 20% experience bonus, regardless of whether they manage a successful extraction.

For the completionists, there is a new long-term project involving hunting down powerful ARC swarms and submitting parts to complete a five-stage 'Display Case'. Finishing each stage grants blueprints related to the enemies you have downed and 'Raider Tokens', while clearing all five earns you a 'Roar' emote and a playable guitar for in-game serenades.

Quality-of-life changes have also been addressed. You can now join friend parties without an invite via the new public party feature, and squad members other than the leader can now extend invitations to others. Additionally, seven new quests have been added alongside some fresh stock in the store.

Looking further ahead, Embark Studios has shared a glimpse into their 2026 roadmap. Plans include new maps, three distinct ARC threats including massive boss-like entities, environmental modifiers, a free 'Raider Deck' battle pass, and a 'Voyage Project' for voluntary resets. Further quests, cosmetics, and usability improvements are also on the horizon.

For more detailed information, visit the official ARC Raiders website to check out the full details.