Embark Studios continues to roll out its 2026 content plan for ARC Raiders. After a strong launch in late October 2025, the extraction shooter continues to evolve at a steady pace. The next stage, called Shrouded Sky, will be available on February 24 and promises major changes. On the program: a spectacular new card condition, Hurricane, and a customization feature that the community has been asking for for months.
A new weather condition that shakes up the games
The Rust Belt zone will now be able to be hit by a hurricane. This new condition radically transforms the approach to raids. Strong winds will change the trajectory of thrown objects, especially grenades. Debris will also be thrown into the environment, putting a strain on players’ shields. The more a Raider protects himself, the more visible he becomes in the storm. General visibility will be reduced, making clashes more unpredictable. ARCs and other players will be harder to spot. In return, powerful winds will reveal ancient caches buried since the First Wave, potentially offering valuable loot.
Beard customization finally confirmed
If the hurricane attracts attention, another novelty has marked the players: the appearance of a bearded character in the trailer. This confirms the arrival of facial hair customization, absent since the game’s launch. Until now, ARC Raiders did not offer any beard option, unlike The Finals, another Embark Studios production. The community has been asking for this feature for several months. Although the exact scope of the options has not yet been detailed, the addition sends a strong signal.
Additional content still mysterious
The 2026 roadmap indicates that Shrouded Sky is about more than Hurricane and facial customization. The update will also introduce new ARC enemies, a new Project, a new Raider Deck as well as map adjustments not yet detailed. The trailer also suggests that a new narrative arc is beginning. A voice suggests that Celeste no longer responds to her communications, casting doubt on her fate.
Continuous evolution for ARC Raiders
Released on October 30, 2025, ARC Raiders earned a solid critical average, with 87/100 on OpenCritic and a 93% recommendation rating. Developed under Unreal Engine 5, the title focuses on evolving map conditions and continuous progression. The Shrouded Sky update could well represent a major turning point, both for its environmental challenge and for the attention paid to player demands. On February 24, Hurricane promised to intensify the raids. But for some, the real storm could be hair.