ARC Raiders players disappointed with cheating ban system

Embark Studios released a major Headwinds update for ARC Raiders, the first of four content drops planned through April. The patch brought seven new quests, a minor map change, two new Augments, and other improvements. The developers also announced implementation of a new ban system to combat cheaters, but players remained dissatisfied with its leniency.

In a patch note footnote, the Embark team explained that a permanent ban is issued only after a series of violations, though many believe the process of reaching that point drags on too long.

A progressive three-strike ban system is being implemented. Penalties will escalate from 30 days to 60, with a final permanent ban for repeat offenders who didn't learn from previous infractions.

Players who encountered cheaters in recent weeks consider this system insufficiently harsh. Though the section is titled "Anti-Cheat," the wording suggests a general approach to rule-breakers, not just those using cheats.

Many perceive a 30-day ban for first offenses as a light warning. The second violation carries a 60-day penalty, and only the third leads to a permanent ban. This means a cheater can be caught manipulating the game three times before Embark Studios says "enough." And what if they don't get caught?

Other extraction shooters, such as Escape from Tarkov, issue permanent bans upon first detection of cheats and publicly reveal the names of banned users. Violators may create new accounts and return, but the strong-arm approach is applied immediately at the initial stage.