The recent removal of the Hidden Bunker in Arc Raiders has highlighted several structural problems within the game’s weekly progression systems. The bunker was taken offline due to an exploit that allowed players to glitch inside and farm large amounts of Trial Points. Its temporary removal has had unintended consequences: legitimate players who were unable to complete their trials earlier in the week now find themselves at a major disadvantage, with little chance to compete against those who benefited from the exploit buy ARC Raiders items.

This issue further exposes a flaw in the game’s weekly schedule. Trials reset on Mondays, while balance adjustments and other updates typically arrive on Thursdays. As a result, players who can participate earlier have a significant advantage over those who can only play later—especially after nerfs or balance changes shift the difficulty or viability of certain strategies. The system, while conceptually promising, currently creates an uneven playing field that many players find discouraging.

Technical issues are also contributing to player frustration. Common wall glitches on Stella Montis, a persistent zipline that allows players to exit the map, and other exploitable bugs remain unaddressed. These problems appear simple to fix on the surface, yet they continue to affect gameplay week after week. Many players feel forced to avoid locations like the Spaceport and Stella Montis altogether until these issues are resolved.

Underlying these challenges is a broader staffing and scalability problem. Arc Raiders’ developers at Embark Studio did not anticipate the game’s explosive popularity. The extraction-shooter genre was expected to draw a smaller, niche audience, and the studio even implemented a purchase requirement as a deterrent to cheaters. The unexpectedly large player base has overwhelmed the development team, which currently lacks the capacity to deliver rapid fixes and consistent content at the pace the community expects.

This situation mirrors the early history of other live-service titles, such as Apex Legends, which also experienced skyrocketing popularity that exceeded the developers’ initial plans. In that case, it took years for the team to adapt and establish a stable update cadence—by which time a portion of the casual player base had already moved on.

Another point of concern is the upcoming Expedition system. Developers have indicated that players will earn skill points based on their stash value, but have withheld the exact thresholds until the Expedition launches on December 15. This leaves the community uncertain about how to prepare, especially during a busy holiday season. Many players feel unable to upgrade or use their gear for fear of not meeting the unknown requirement, creating unnecessary anxiety and hindering engagement.

Despite these issues, there is optimism that the upcoming Snowfall Update and new seasonal content will revitalize the game. The foundation of Arc Raiders remains strong, with a unique gameplay loop and significant potential for long-term success. However, restoring player trust will require clearer communication, quicker bug fixes, improved scheduling, and expanded development resources.

Conclusion
Arc Raiders is at a critical crossroads. The game has attracted a large and passionate community, but ongoing bugs, unclear communication, and systemic pacing issues threaten long-term player retention. With timely updates, expanded staffing, and a renewed focus on addressing core frustrations, the game can still achieve its full potential. As the holiday season approaches, the next round of updates—and the developers’ responsiveness—will play a decisive role in shaping the future of the title.