ARC Raiders dev confirms multiple maps are coming this year, and some will be "even grander" than current ones

ARC Raiders will be getting multiple new maps throughout 2026, and the developers are making it clear that each one is meant to feel different, not just bigger or smaller versions of existing locations.

In an interview with GamesRadar, Embark’s design lead, Virgil Watkins, confirmed that the team is actively working on several map additions for this year. While a full roadmap has not been shared yet, Watkins said players can expect one soon that outlines upcoming content over the next few months. This roadmap will not only include new maps, but also weapons, enemies, objectives, and other gameplay additions.

Watkins explained that Embark is still deciding the exact pace of these updates. Instead of locking into a strict schedule, the team is paying close attention to how players are interacting with the game. Some updates will be shaped by player behavior and feedback, while others are planned to push the game in new directions. Each major update is being designed around a clear theme, so when new content drops, it feels like a complete experience rather than just another map added to the list.

"Some of it is reacting to the things you're talking about here, like how players are actually engaging with the game and the things that they're doing, but a lot of it for us is trying to see how we can move the experience forward." He further added, "Of course adding a new map has its own novelty, and it's a new place to play and do that. But what else? Thematically, gameplay-wise. How do the enemies and the items and the experiences in that map all point toward something? It's kind of getting that thematically cohesive stuff together that feels like, 'Oh, guys, the Whatever Update just came out for Arc Raiders. Let's go check that out.' That's what we're trying to template out for the coming months."

When it comes to map design, Watkins said players should expect variety. Some upcoming maps will be smaller and more focused, while others could be even larger than current locations like Blue Gate or Spaceport. Size is not the main goal, though. The team is more interested in how each map plays. This includes experimenting with different environments, enemy types, loot quality, and conditions that change how players move and fight.

"There are going to be multiple maps coming this year, and I think it's going to be across a spectrum of size to try to facilitate different types of gameplay. So you might see some that are smaller, and you might see some that are even grander than what we've got now."

New maps are also being used to introduce fresh gameplay ideas. Stella Montis, for example, added rarer loot, new blueprints, and exclusive enemies like the Shredder. Future maps will follow a similar approach by offering new rewards and encouraging players to rethink how they use their tools.

Watkins also noted that technical limits play a big role in map creation. Server performance, player count, enemy density, visibility, and overall pacing all affect how a map is built. Some existing maps already push performance limits, so Embark has to balance ambition with stability.