Embark Studios is intensifying its efforts against cheating in Arc Raiders, announcing a new policy of permanent bans for all identified cheat software users. This move comes as the game prepares for its significant Frozen Trail update next week, which promises a host of new features including a temporary PvE mode, dynamic loot locations, and base building.
Executive producer Aleksander Grøndal stated that cheating "undermines what makes Arc Raiders challenging and fun, and disrupts the experience for everyone playing fairly." He emphasized the studio's commitment to the ongoing fight against unfair play, noting the evolving nature of cheat software and the continuous adaptation required from anti-cheat teams. "Cheat makers profit from selling to players, often bundling malware with their software, and every time we improve our defenses, they adapt and find new ways around them. We adapt too," Grøndal explained. "Our growing anti-cheat team is continually working to detect and block new cheats, close the pathways they exploit, and add obstacles that make cheating harder and less worthwhile. It's work we're committed to for as long as our games are live."
Previously, Embark has provided updates on its anti-cheat measures, but Grøndal acknowledged that "simply saying we’re working on it isn’t enough." Under the new policy, permanent bans are the standard for anyone caught using cheats, with "no warnings, no second chances." The studio is also implementing measures to make it more difficult for banned players to return, including permanent bans for accounts linked to banned cheaters and a more liberal use of hardware bans when evidence suggests a single machine is being used for illicit activities.
Embark is also investing in long-term anti-cheat solutions, developing in-house machine-learning-based detection models. In addition to its current Denuvo and Anybrain integrations, the studio plans to incorporate Elytra, an anti-cheat system showing promise in early, small-scale use within The Finals. "Video game cheating is a multi-billion dollar industry, and it will never fully go away," Grøndal concluded. "What we can do is make cheating as difficult, costly, and short-lived as possible."