Arc Raiders Bans Tens of Thousands in Sweeping Crackdown on Cheaters, Embark Studios Confirms

Arc Raiders has already banned “tens of thousands of players” for cheating, according to Embark Studios’ CEO Patrick Söderlund, who described the developer’s anti-cheat policy as “aggressive” and ongoing. Embark Studios has also committed to compensating players who lost items due to cheaters, reinforcing its zero-tolerance approach.

Arc Raiders, the ambitious third-person extraction shooter developed by Embark Studios, is enforcing one of the industry’s most stringent anti-cheat programmes. CEO Patrick Söderlund told IGN in February 2026 that “tens of thousands of players” have been banned since launch, reflecting both the scale of cheating faced in successful multiplayer games and the studio’s commitment to game integrity. “We have been pretty aggressive on this,” Söderlund said, directly addressing the exponential rise in cheaters as Arc Raiders’ player base grows. “The game wasn’t prone to so many cheaters in the beginning, but as with all multiplayer games that get successful, this becomes a component, unfortunately.”

Key details:

• Ban Count: Embark Studios has banned “probably tens of thousands of players so far” for cheating in Arc Raiders.
• Industry Data: Söderlund estimated that “anywhere between 0.1 percent to one percent of any multiplayer crowd in a large-scale multiplayer game is cheating,” highlighting the persistent risk even in well-moderated environments.
• Ban Process: The studio applies a nuanced approach, ranging from 24-hour suspensions for minor infractions (such as using an aimbot) to permanent bans for more serious violations.
• Developer Statement: Söderlund emphasised, “We will continue to go after people that are doing things in the game that they shouldn’t do.”
• Error Rectification: Embark Studios is committed to quickly reversing unfair or mistaken bans, with CEO Söderlund stating, “We need to make sure that we get it right. That we are fair, and that, in the case where it’s clear that we didn’t get it right, that we can quickly remedy the situation so that player isn’t affected in an unfair fashion or way.”

The deceptive tactics of cheaters continue to challenge even the most sophisticated detection systems. Söderlund described the “cat-and-mouse” nature of policing online games: “It’s not always easy because the minute you do something, the minute you come up with something, they’ve come up with something else to do.” Acknowledging the inherent difficulties, he explained, “Just like a [Distributed Denial-of-Service] attack, it’s one of these things that you just have to try and be a step ahead.”

Implementing bans effectively carries a delicate balance. Söderlund cautioned, “The banning process alone is delicate because we need to make sure that we ban people that deserve to be banned.” Reflecting on the cautiousness required, he said, “Regardless of how cautious you are and what systems are in place, there are always people that are going to feel like they’re treated unfairly that, ‘I didn’t do anything,’ and then there are absolutely people that will get caught or that are unfairly banned that we need to deal with. We try and look at it from that perspective, but we will continue to go after people that are doing things in the game that they shouldn’t do.”

Arc Raiders has taken an extra step by pledging to return lost items to victims of cheaters, even if the affected player was not the one to report the offence. This policy aligns with Embark Studios’ mantra that the game is “committed to skill and fun, not unfair advantages.” While unpredictable gear loss and high tension are core to the extraction shooter genre, Embark Studios’ system ensures any losses stemming from “unfair play” are compensated, maintaining a fair and competitive environment.

Eurogamer’s hands-on preview of Arc Raiders describes the gameplay loop as “a factory that mass produces tense moments, by its own nature a source of intense anxiety: high stakes, devastating losses, rapturous victories. Pulling back, it’s a game of gradual self-refinement, both of your inventory full of resources and your characters abilities, and likewise your own know-how.”

Summary:

• Anti-cheat policy: Aggressive, continuous, and fair-aimed enforcement by Embark Studios.
• Ban stats: “Tens of thousands” of players banned since launch.
• Compensation: Item restitution for victims of cheaters, regardless of who reported the act.
• Cheating rates: Estimated industry-wide at 0.1–1% of large multiplayer communities.
• Developer’s commitment: Ongoing refinement of detection and appeal mechanisms.

Arc Raiders’ zero-tolerance stance on cheating, rapid ban implementation, and player compensation underline Embark Studios’ aim for a fair play environment. The ongoing battle against cheaters remains a core development priority, positioning Arc Raiders as a model for multiplayer game integrity in 2026.