Nexon Sets Free Play For ARC Raiders From October 8
The free period doubles as a recruitment tool for the new map, since a veteran can carry a first-time player into Pendula Pass without the usual unlock step.
Key Facts
- Nexon announced on October 3, 2026 that ARC Raiders will be free to play from October 8 at 18:00 to October 12 at 17:00 Japan time.
- The ARC Raiders free play period covers Steam, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S.
- The ARC Raiders update Frozen Trail releases on October 8, 2026 and adds the Pendula Pass map, an Outpost base, an overhauled skill tree, new weapons, and weapon customization.
- New ARC Raiders players can access Pendula Pass during the free period by teaming with a player who has already unlocked the map.
- ARC Raiders is a PvPvE extraction shooter that supports solo play or teams of up to three players.
Reporting from 2 sources: Automaton, Game Spark.
Nexon announced on October 3, 2026 that ARC Raiders will be free to play from October 8 at 18:00 to October 12 at 17:00 Japan time on Steam, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S. The full release version is playable during that window, according to Embark Studios. The promotion runs alongside the launch of Frozen Trail, which the developer calls the largest update since release, adding the Pendula Pass map, a new base, and skill tree revisions. New players who start during the free period can reach Pendula Pass immediately by teaming with someone who has already unlocked it, since the map normally requires unlocking. ARC Raiders is a PvPvE extraction shooter set on a future Earth overrun by machines called ARC, with players as Raiders who carry resources back to the underground settlement Speranza. It supports solo play or teams of up to three.
The two outlets do not agree on the update's name. Automaton calls it "Frozen Trail." Game Spark calls it "Frozen Road" and also renders the new map as "Pendra Pass" rather than "Pendula Pass." The update name and, at least in Game Spark's version, the full release build is playable during the window.
The "Frigate" is a large ARC warship added as high-difficulty content aimed at veteran players. Raiders board it, open routes through its internal passages, and hold off ARC attacks.
"Outpost" is the new base system, alongside an overhauled skill tree, new weapons, and weapon customization.
"Amplified weapons," which change how existing weapons behave, are planned, plus a "reward pass" that replaces the Raider Deck.
A grappling hook, a selfie camera, and three new enemy types are also on the update list.
Game Spark says the studio is working on matchmaking, anti-cheat, stability, and quality-of-life updates.
Game Spark frames the free period as a recruitment window: the new map normally needs unlocking, but a new player can reach it right away by teaming with someone who already has it. On PC, the game is listed on both Steam and the Epic Games Store.
Synthesized by Yomimono from the 2 cited sources below, including Japanese-language reporting where cited, then editorially reviewed before publishing.