A massive duplication glitch recently pushed the ARC Raiders community to its breaking point. This exploit spread like wildfire and made the game borderline unplayable. Players used the glitch to gain unfair advantages in PvP encounters. However, Embark Studios acted quickly to save the extraction shooter from total chaos.
The Glitch That Nearly Killed Arc Raiders
This latest duplication method was reportedly the easiest one yet. Consequently, almost everyone started using it. Players specifically targeted items like “Trigger Nades”. They would duplicate these explosives and spam them repeatedly at enemies. This made matches on Stella Montis, a small-scale, PvP-heavy map, a complete nightmare.
Beyond combat, the exploit threatened the game’s economy. In the past, players used similar tricks to duplicate weapon blueprints and valuable trinkets. For example, the “Familiar Duck” could be held in stacks of 15 and sold for $7,000 each. While older glitches required complex steps like disconnecting mobile hotspots, this new version was simple and accessible. The community feared this would “kill the game” if left unchecked.
Embark Studios Responds with a Hotfix
The community was initially disappointed on February 10 when Patch 1.15.0 went live without a fix. That update included various bug fixes and a nerf to the “Trailblazer Grenade”, but the duplication exploit remained possible. Community managers on Discord quickly assured fans that a solution was in progress.
Finally, at 5:32 AM PT / 6:32 PM PKT on February 10, Embark Studios rolled out a server-side hotfix. This update specifically addressed the duplication issue. This quick turnaround was essential because the player base was growing increasingly frustrated with weekly bugs. For instance, the studio recently had to patch an out-of-bounds exploit on Stella Montis that allowed players to kill others while remaining invisible.
A Hard Stance on Cheating
Embark Studios is now getting stricter with players who exploit the game. They have implemented a clear three-strike ban system:
- First offence: 30-day ban.
- Second offence: 60-day ban.
- Third offence: Permanent ban.
Additionally, the studio updated its Steam Family Sharing policy. If an account is banned for cheating, all other accounts linked via Family Sharing will face the same restrictions. These measures aim to clean up the extraction shooter and protect the experience for honest players. For now, the raids are safe again, but the community remains watchful for the next big bug.
