Another week into ARC Raiders and the live-service shooter is showing steady signs of activity. Patch 1.4.0 continues to stabilise gameplay, improve AI, and smooth matchmaking, while the upcoming Expedition Project — officially announced by the developers — has the community buzzing with anticipation. Here’s everything you need to know for Week 5.
Current Player Base & Community Pulse
- All-time peak: ~481,966 concurrent players (SteamDB)
- Recent 24-hour peaks: ~418,520
- Community sentiment: generally positive; players are enjoying Patch 1.4.0 improvements and discussing the Expedition mechanics
- Engagement signals: active discussion on Reddit, Discord, and Twitch about optimal builds, Caravan preparations, and upcoming rewards
Patch 1.4.0 – Continued Impact
Patch 1.4.0 continues to improve the ARC Raiders experience:
- Weapon balance adjustments remain largely appreciated
- AI tweaks make missions feel more dynamic and challenging
- Bug fixes and quality-of-life improvements enhance longer sessions
- Server optimisations reduce matchmaking delays and latency spikes
Full patch notes: Patch 1.4.0
The Expedition Project – Launching 17th December
The official Expedition Project is set to open on 17th December and will run until 22nd December. During this six-day window, the Raiders can choose to leave Speranza in the Caravan they’ve constructed, resetting progression for a new journey while retaining certain buffs and advantages.
Key Mechanics & Rewards
- All items in your Raider’s stash contribute to the Expedition
- Skill points for your next Raider are earned based on stash value: 1,000,000 Coins = 1 extra skill point (up to 5 points max)
- Progress resets for Skill Tree, Level, Stash, Workshop, Crafting Abilities, and Blueprints
- Permanent unlocks for new Raider: Patchwork Raider outfit, Scrappy Janitor Cap, Expedition Indicator icon, skill points from stash, +12 Stash space
- Temporary buffs for the new journey: 10% repair buff, 5% XP boost, 6% more materials from Scrappy
- Buffs increase in power over the next three expeditions, but only one departure is allowed per Expedition Window
Timing & Strategy
The Expedition Window runs from 17th to 22nd December. All players who haven’t departed by the end of the window are automatically included. If you skip this window, your progress toward the Caravan is preserved for future expeditions, allowing strategic planning for buffs and rewards.
Why the Expedition Project Matters
Progression resets in live-service games are notoriously tricky to balance. Mandatory global wipes can frustrate long-term players, but optional expeditions like this give players a choice:
- If you’re ready for a fresh challenge: depart and gain buffs, rewards, and bragging rights
- If you’re still building your stash or exploring: stay and continue growing until the next Expedition Window
What to Watch in Week 5
- Community engagement and login spikes surrounding the Expedition launch
- Player feedback on Expedition difficulty, rewards, and caravan mechanics
- Server stability and matchmaking under increased activity
- Any balance concerns highlighted by players adapting to buffs and reset progression
Week 5 Takeaway
ARC Raiders remains stable and engaged as it enters the next phase of content with the Expedition Project. Patch 1.4.0 set the stage for smooth gameplay, and the Expedition will be a critical indicator of the game’s retention potential. Success over these six days could define ARC Raiders as a sustainable live-service shooter going into 2026.
