Embark Studios has officially addressed the ongoing cheating concerns within its multiplayer extraction shooter, Arc Raiders.
The developer has detailed its anti-cheat strategies in a new blog post, aiming to combat the “cheating epidemic” frustrating the game’s community. This move is significant as persistent cheating can negatively impact player experience and lead to a decline in player engagement.
New Anti-Cheat Systems Detailed
Embark Studios’ anti-cheat system for Arc Raiders combines kernel-level protection from Easy Anti-Cheat with detection capabilities powered by machine-learning (ML) models. These models are trained on a continuous flow of player telemetry.
The studio is currently testing a new kernel-level solution designed to “sharpen both detection and precision” across the game’s environments, Speranza and the Rust Belt. According to Embark, kernel-level detection is a necessity because most commercial cheats operate within that space, making it crucial for visibility into damaging tools.
Addressing Accessibility Concerns
Embark Studios acknowledges the challenge of managing accessibility devices within its anti-cheat framework. Players who rely on such equipment need to be able to play, but these tools can also be exploited for cheating.
The studio stated that the key signal it monitors is intent. Its systems analyze telemetry and communication patterns to differentiate between legitimate accessibility use and abuse, ensuring that players dependent on these devices can continue playing. The ban appeal system remains human-centric to ensure fair treatment for each case.
Ongoing Community Concerns
Cheating has been a point of contention within the Arc Raiders community since the game’s launch in 2025. Both casual players and content creators have called for significant changes to address the problem.
Combating cheaters in a live-service title like Arc Raiders is an ongoing effort. Embark Studios, a Swedish video game developer and a subsidiary of Nexon, continues to refine its approach to ensure fair play. Players can find more details on the studio’s efforts on the official Ensuring Fair Play blog post.
