In a few days, social networks have been ablaze around ARC Raiders, the cooperative looter-shooter from Embark Studios. The cause: a wave of cheaters which is ruining the experience of many players. If the phenomenon is not yet completely generalized, several major figures in the streaming scene have decided to speak out publicly, pointing out a laxity considered worrying.
Among them, Nadeshot, famous content creator and former pro, was particularly virulent: “The alarming level of cheating is perhaps even worse than in the best Call of Duty. I’m not trying to denigrate the game, because I know that this kind of talk spreads like wildfire on social networks, but it is impossible for me to complete a raid without using a level 0 Steam profile or an account with multiple game and VAC bans.”
Raids ruined, progression destroyed: fed up that accumulates
Beyond the altered gameplay, it is player engagement that is undermined. Nadeshot sums up the frustration of many players who invest hours into crafting, looting, and survival: “I’m at war and literally getting demolished for 8 hours straight every day. Hours and hours of looting, crafting, and investment of time and resources wiped out in raid after raid, over and over again.”
Shroud, another streaming star, hasn’t stayed silent either. In a viral video, he claims that “50% of players in each lobby cheat”, going so far as to question the very pleasure of playing: “What is the point of playing?”
Embark Studios tries to limit damage, without convincing
Even before the official release, the studio had planned an automatic resource reimbursement system in the event of death by a proven cheater. But this measure is today considered insufficient given the scale of the problem. While some players say they have never encountered a cheater, others believe that anti-cheat is too permissive and that fraudulent accounts proliferate.
Anger also comes from the fact that many cheaters use secondary or fraudulent accounts to circumvent sanctions. The ease of access to these tools and the low barriers to entry contribute to a widespread feeling of impunity.
Parallel trade, rare loot: a system that encourages cheating
ARC Raiders is based in part on obtaining rare equipment, sometimes exchanged outside the game for real money. Some weapons or blueprints are already visible on third-party platforms, fueling a gray market that is spinning out of control. This system creates a direct incentive to cheat, particularly to secure winnings during raids.
This phenomenon is not new in the world of online gaming, but it is all the more problematic here as the heart of the gameplay is based on survival and cooperation. If Embark does not react quickly, there is a great risk of seeing the community disintegrate before the game even finds its cruising speed.