Arc Raiders to Refund Gear Lost to Cheaters, Prioritizing Fair Play Over Unfair Advantages

In a bold move to foster a fairer, more enjoyable gaming environment, Arc Raiders developer Embark Studios has announced that it will refund gear lost to cheaters, even if players did not directly report the unfair activity. The studio’s commitment to ensuring “skill and fun, not unfair advantages” reflects its ongoing dedication to building a balanced and competitive space for players.

Arc Raiders, the latest PvP extraction shooter to hit Steam, has been making waves since its release, quickly surpassing 328,000 concurrent players and breaking records for the genre. While the thrill of finding and losing gear is central to the extraction shooter experience, Embark Studios is taking extra steps to ensure players aren’t unfairly penalized due to cheaters.

A Commitment to Fair Play

The announcement came after Arc Raiders players began noticing that when cheaters were caught, their lost items were automatically refunded to their accounts—regardless of whether they had reported the cheaters themselves. This move comes as part of Embark’s broader strategy to create a fairer, more rewarding gameplay experience for everyone involved.

In a message sent to one affected player, Embark Studios explained:
“Your items were lost due to unfair play, but we managed to get them back for you!”

The message continued:
“They’re now available for you to claim and take with you on your next journey Topside. We’re committed to building an environment where gameplay is about skill, teamwork, and fun, not unfair advantages. Thank you for being part of this mission! Together, we’re building Arc Raiders into a fair and fun experience for everyone.”

This approach was met with widespread approval on platforms like Reddit and X (formerly Twitter), where players shared their own experiences of receiving unexpected refunds after losing gear to cheaters.

How It Works: Embark Takes Action on Its Own

Embark Studios’ proactive approach is designed to address issues of cheating without putting the onus on players to constantly monitor or report cheaters themselves. If the studio’s anti-cheat systems detect unfair play, the affected player will receive their lost items back—no report needed.

This automatic refund process is an acknowledgment of the fact that, in a fast-paced extraction shooter like Arc Raiders, players shouldn’t be penalized for simply encountering cheaters. Instead, Embark Studios is working to create an environment where every loss is the result of legitimate in-game actions, not external exploits.

Arc Raiders Breaking Steam Records

As players rally around the studio’s commitment to fairness, Arc Raiders continues to thrive. Just a day after its launch, the game hit a peak concurrent player count of 250,000 on Steam, which was swiftly surpassed with a new record of 328,062 players on November 1st. This remarkable performance makes Arc Raiders the most popular PvP extraction shooter on Steam, even topping the charts for concurrent players among all games in the last 24 hours.

The game’s rapid growth is a testament to its engaging, tension-filled gameplay. Arc Raiders combines high stakes, intense moments, and the thrill of gradual self-improvement, both in terms of inventory management and character development. It’s a game that rewards skill, strategy, and teamwork, while still maintaining the adrenaline-pumping excitement of its genre.

The Future of Arc Raiders: Fair Play and Continuous Growth

Arc Raiders has set a new standard for fairness in multiplayer gaming. By ensuring that players who are affected by cheaters are automatically compensated, Embark Studios is reinforcing its commitment to creating a level playing field. With a growing player base and ongoing improvements, the game is well-positioned to lead the way in fair, competitive extraction shooters.

As the game continues to evolve, it’s clear that Embark Studios is dedicated to prioritizing player experience. Whether you’re exploring Topside, refining your character’s abilities, or managing your valuable resources, you can rest assured that fair play will remain at the heart of Arc Raiders.