It’s a problem as old as online gaming itself: cheaters, those persistent digital troublemakers who find ways to undermine the fun for everyone else. In the past month, the sci-fi shooter Arc Raiders has found itself at the center of a heated battle between honest players and those determined to bend the rules. But this time, developer Embark Studios isn’t sitting idly by. Instead, they’ve launched a full-scale offensive to root out cheaters, and their efforts are already making waves throughout the gaming community.
About a month ago, reports began to surge from frustrated Arc Raiders players. Social media and gaming forums lit up with complaints about an influx of cheaters, with many players expressing concern that the integrity of the game was at risk. Some content creators even drew comparisons to the infamous cheating epidemic that once plagued Call of Duty, highlighting just how severe the situation had become for Embark Studios’ flagship multiplayer title.
Recognizing the seriousness of the problem, Embark Studios quickly took action. The company rolled out a series of updates to its anti-cheat system and implemented crucial client-side fixes. Community administrator Ossen addressed the player base directly, stating, "We have seen the discussion of the topic of cheaters in Arc Raiders. Know that we take this very seriously, listen to your feedback and take action." The message was clear: Embark Studios was listening, and they were determined to restore fair play to the game.
But what exactly did these measures entail? According to Embark Studios CEO Patrick Söderlund, the studio’s response was nothing short of aggressive. In an interview with IGN, Söderlund explained, "We have been pretty aggressive on this... The game wasn't prone to so many cheaters in the beginning, but as with all multiplayer games that get successful, this becomes a component, unfortunately. For us as developers, just like a DDoS attack, it's one of these things that you just have to try and be a step ahead."
Söderlund’s comments reflect a challenge familiar to many developers of successful multiplayer games. When a title becomes popular, it inevitably attracts a small but disruptive group of cheaters. "If you take general figures, anywhere between 0.1% to 1% of any multiplayer crowd in a large-scale multiplayer game is cheating, and therefore, to some extent, should get a temporary or a longer, or permanent ban," Söderlund noted. This means that even a relatively low percentage of cheaters can result in thousands of problematic accounts in a large player base.
The scale of Embark Studios’ crackdown has been significant. By early February 2026, the company had already banned "tens of thousands" of players for cheating. "We've started banning players, and why do I know that? Because I see an influx of people trying to get to the studio, and to me. 'Oh, I didn't do anything.' We're seeing a pretty substantial change in that, but I know that we have banned probably tens of thousands of players so far, that I know," Söderlund said. The CEO’s inbox, it seems, had become a hotbed for appeals from banned players pleading their innocence.
While the developer’s actions have been forceful, they have also been measured. Söderlund acknowledged the delicate nature of the banning process, emphasizing the importance of fairness and accuracy. "The banning process is obviously delicate because we need to make sure that we ban people that deserve to be banned, if that makes any sense," he told IGN. He further explained, "We need to make sure that we get it right. That we are fair, and that, in the case where it's clear that we didn't get it right, that we can quickly remedy the situation so that player isn't affected in an unfair fashion or way."
This commitment to fairness hasn’t gone unnoticed. Embark Studios has promised to correct any erroneous bans swiftly, ensuring that innocent players aren’t caught in the crossfire. According to Söderlund, "We have implemented a system and started blocking players. I understand that this is happening because I see a stream of people trying to contact the studio and me personally with the words: 'I didn’t do anything.' We are already seeing noticeable changes and can say that we have probably banned tens of thousands of players." The studio’s willingness to listen to player feedback and address mistakes has helped maintain trust even as the crackdown intensifies.
But Embark Studios hasn’t stopped at simply banning cheaters. In a further effort to close loopholes exploited by bad actors, the developer recently imposed restrictions on how Arc Raiders can be shared across Steam accounts. Specifically, they limited the use of Steam Family Sharing, a feature that had been abused to circumvent bans and create new accounts. This move, reported by GamesRadar+, aims to make it much harder for cheaters to return to the game under fresh identities.
Of course, the battle against cheating is never truly over. As Söderlund himself admitted, "It's not always easy to block bad actors because the second Embark Studios comes up with a solution, cheaters will cook up something else." The ongoing cat-and-mouse game between developers and cheaters is a familiar story in the gaming world, one that demands constant vigilance and adaptation. Embark Studios has pledged to continue refining its anti-cheat measures and to remain responsive to new threats as they emerge.
The recent wave of bans and anti-cheat improvements has already had a noticeable impact on the Arc Raiders community. Players report fewer encounters with cheaters, and the tone on social media has shifted from frustration to cautious optimism. While no system is perfect, and cheaters will always try to find new angles, Embark Studios’ proactive approach has sent a strong message: fair play matters, and those who break the rules will face consequences.
For the wider gaming industry, the story of Arc Raiders serves as a timely reminder of the challenges that come with success. As multiplayer games grow in popularity, the risk of cheating grows alongside them. Developers must remain vigilant, balancing aggressive enforcement with fairness and transparency. Players, meanwhile, are reminded that their voices matter—community feedback played a crucial role in prompting Embark Studios’ swift response.
As the dust settles, one thing is clear: Arc Raiders is fighting hard to protect its community, and for now, honest players can breathe a little easier as they dive back into the action.