The developers behind the hit extraction shooter ARC Raiders have issued a direct response after facing intense criticism from top streamers over a perceived cheating epidemic within the game.
Streamers Sound the Alarm on "Hellish" Experience
Following its hugely successful launch in October 2025, ARC Raiders has encountered its first significant controversy. In recent weeks, players have voiced mounting concerns about an apparent surge in cheaters, with two of the gaming world's biggest personalities leading the charge.
Matthew "Nadeshot" Haag, founder of 100 Thieves, launched a lengthy critique on social media platform X, describing his recent gameplay as "hell." He detailed encounters with invincible opponents exhibiting suspiciously perfect aim, claiming the problem was worse than at the peak of Call of Duty's cheating issues.
"I love this game and think it’s already moved into my personal top 10 of all time," Nadeshot clarified. "But the egregious amount of cheating genuinely might be worse than peak Call of Duty." He pointed to frequent raids ruined by encountering Level 0 Steam profiles or accounts with multiple prior bans.
Fellow streaming titan Ninja also highlighted the issue during a recent Twitch broadcast. He warned that failing to control cheaters and stream snipers could drive content creators away from the title, stating, "The last thing they want is streamers stopping playing their game."
Embark Studios Breaks Its Silence
As frustration grew online, with players demanding to know "Where are you, Embark Studios?", the developer has now broken its silence. The studio explained its recent absence with a simple, five-word reason: "The team was on vacation."
A community manager elaborated that the holiday period had caused delays, but assured the community that the development team is now actively investigating balance issues and the cheating problem. Specific gameplay elements like the stitcher, kettle, and trigger nade were mentioned as being under review.
"Rest assured, we hear you and are working to deliver a good gaming experience," the statement continued. "Things just aren’t immediate."
Can ARC Raiders Recover Its Stellar Reputation?
The backlash presents the first major test for Embark Studios since ARC Raiders' standout release last year. The developer's promise of forthcoming updates will be crucial in determining whether the game can overcome this hurdle.
Players are now watching closely to see if the studio can swiftly implement effective anti-cheat measures and balance adjustments. If successful, ARC Raiders has the potential to return to the form that won it such a dedicated player base and critical acclaim in late 2025.
