Embark Studios has announced a significant delay for all future Arc Raiders Expeditions, pushing their return to early 2027. The decision stems from a desire to implement "major improvements" based on extensive player feedback.
Expeditions, a late-game mechanic introduced in Arc Raiders, function as a prestige system allowing players to reset their progress for new challenges and rewards. The current Expedition 5 is scheduled to run from September 8 to September 29, after which the feature will be paused. Embark cited specific player concerns including tight departure windows, the existing reward structure, and difficulties for new players entering the endgame.
"We have been carefully reviewing your feedback on Expeditions," Embark stated in a post on the Arc Raiders website. "While we've made ongoing improvements along the way, we've come to realize that some of the issues you've raised... need more than incremental fixes. They call for bigger changes."
To address these broader issues, the studio will temporarily halt Expeditions. Following Expedition 5, the next iteration is not expected until early 2027. Embark has promised to share more details about the planned changes in September.
During this pause, player buffs will reportedly persist. Players who have completed all Expeditions will receive the Zenith outfit. Those with partially completed Caravans will be issued Ermal Vouchers equivalent to their value, usable for Ermal offers or tradable for Coin.
Further complicating the game's post-launch schedule, Embark will also pause weekly Trials for two weeks, starting September 22, 2026, with their return slated for October 8.
Arc Raiders has maintained a dedicated player base since its launch in October 2025, but its post-launch roadmap has faced scrutiny. In May, Embark outlined a commitment to two major annual updates, with the next, "Frozen Trail," anticipated in October and said to include a new map. However, this announcement did little to assuage player concerns about the pace of content delivery, especially following the arrival of the Riven Tides map in April.
The decision to pause Expeditions and Trials has amplified player frustration, despite general acknowledgment that the features require significant refinement. Comments from the community reflect a mix of understanding and apprehension. One player noted the "risky choice" of removing the primary progression system but expressed hope for "drastically changed" and rewarding Expeditions upon their return. Others voiced longer-term dissatisfaction, with one player stating, "You guys have one of the best games ever made and you keep dropping the ball."
Arc Raiders achieved 16 million sales by May. IGN previously awarded the game a 9/10, praising its "polished gunplay and an irresistible grind" and stating it "sets a new standard for extraction shooters."