ARC Raiders Launches ‘The Shared Watch’ Event: Rewards, Rules, and New Content

BERLIN, 10 February 2026 — Embark Studios has officially launched its latest major in-game activity for the hit dystopian extraction shooter, ARC Raiders. Titled “The Shared Watch,” the event marks a strategic shift in the game’s meta, incentivising cooperation in a genre typically defined by “shoot-on-sight” mentalities. Following the game’s massive commercial success last year—surpassing 4 million copies sold in its first fortnight—this event aims to solidify the title’s position as a disruptor in the competitive shooter market.

What is The Shared Watch?

Running from 10 February to 24 February 2026, The Shared Watch is a limited-time event designed to reward “Raider-to-Raider” cooperation. While the core extraction mechanics remain, players who choose to assist strangers or engage in joint takedowns of ARC machines will earn exclusive progression towards a new cosmetic collection.

The event comes on the heels of comments from Embark CEO Patrick Söderlund, who recently confirmed that the studio is doubling down on “emergent gameplay” and “aggression-based matchmaking” to ensure the game remains challenging yet fair for its growing player base.

New Rewards: The Slugger Set and Raider Tokens

The primary draw for the February event is the introduction of The Slugger, a new high-tier cosmetic set. Unlike standard shop items, pieces of this set are unlocked through specific gameplay milestones during the event window.

Key Event Features:

• The Slugger Cosmetic Set: A rugged, baseball-inspired tactical outfit that reflects the “scrappy” nature of the resistance.
• Raider Tokens: A temporary event currency earned by completing “Shared Watch” objectives, such as reviving non-squad members or taking down ARC Titans with multiple teams present.
• New Instruments: Following Söderlund’s recent teaser, new musical instruments have been added to the social hubs, allowing Raiders to interact during downtime between runs.

Anti-Cheat and Policy Updates

Coinciding with the event launch, Embark Studios has implemented a significant crackdown on illicit play. As of last week, the developer has tightened rules regarding Steam Family Sharing. Under the new policy, if a player is caught cheating while using a shared library, the account owner will face the same permanent ban consequences. This move is part of a broader effort to protect the integrity of the extraction economy during high-stakes events like The Shared Watch.

The Evolution of ARC Raiders

The success of ARC Raiders represents a major win for the Stockholm-based Embark Studios. Founded by former DICE leaders, the studio’s journey—from six developers in an apartment to a global powerhouse—was recently chronicled in the documentary The Evolution of ARC Raiders (2025). The game has been praised for moving away from the “slow, massive team structures” of traditional AAA development in favour of a more agile, tool-based approach that allows for rapid content updates like the current event.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How do I start The Shared Watch event?

The event is active for all players upon logging in starting 10 February 2026. Objectives are tracked automatically in your Raider Log under the “Events” tab.

Can I still play solo during the event?

Yes. While the event rewards cooperation, the core PvPvE nature of the game remains. However, you may find other Raiders more inclined to use the “Hold Fire” emote to secure Shared Watch bonuses.

What happens to my Raider Tokens after 24 February?

Raider Tokens are specific to The Shared Watch. It is recommended to spend them at the event vendor in the Speranza hub before the event concludes on 24 February.

Is the StarCraft project related to ARC Raiders?

Recent industry reports suggest that Nexon (the publisher of ARC Raiders) is involved in a StarCraft revival, but this is a separate project and has no direct impact on the development or lore of ARC Raiders.