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ARC Raiders is free to play on Steam, Xbox, and PlayStation from October 8, 2026, at 09:00 UTC until October 12 at 08:00 UTC, according to Embark Studios. This is a full-game free-play promotion alongside the Frozen Trail update—not the Server Slam, which was a separate pre-launch test in October 2025 and has ended.
Is ARC Raiders free this weekend?
Yes. Embark’s promotion provides access to the full game during the stated October 8–12, 2026 window. The start and end times are given in UTC; the offer spans four calendar dates, but the endpoints are 95 hours apart rather than a full 96 hours.
The promotion coincides with Frozen Trail, which Embark describes as its biggest update since launch. New players can access Pendola Pass immediately when teamed with players who have already unlocked it.
When does the free-play period end?
It ends October 12, 2026, at 08:00 UTC. The start time is October 8 at 09:00 UTC. Convert those UTC times to your local time zone before planning a session, particularly if the conversion crosses into a different calendar date.
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![ARC Raiders Deluxe - PC Steam [Online Game Code]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51I3Aj2PM0L._SL160_.jpg)
- ARC Raiders Deluxe Edition includes the base game and the following content: The Wanderer Set, including the following cosmetic items: “Valente” Outfit" “Pathfinder” Backpack,“Blanket Roll” Backpack Attachment.
- Plus: Character Cosmetic, Finger Gun Rapid Fire Emote, Cowboy Scrappy Body Type and Skin, 2 400 Raider Tokens.
What platforms can you play on?
Embark lists Steam, Xbox, and PlayStation for the current free-play promotion. The announcement does not specify individual Xbox or PlayStation hardware models in its platform list, so check the relevant store in your region for availability and download details.
How to start playing during the promotion
- Open the ARC Raiders listing in the Steam, Xbox, or PlayStation store during the promotion window.
- Download the game and launch it through that platform.
- Connect to the internet and sign in with an Embark ID and the required third-party platform account. Accept the applicable terms and follow local age restrictions.
Embark’s announcement footer lists those account and connection requirements and displays 13+. Age requirements can vary by region and platform, so check the applicable local rules rather than treating that displayed age as universal.
How the 2026 free-play promotion differs from the Server Slam
| Detail | October 2026 free-play promotion | October 2025 Server Slam |
|---|---|---|
| Dates | October 8 at 09:00 UTC to October 12 at 08:00 UTC, 2026, according to Embark. | October 17–19, 2025, according to Embark; ended before the game’s October 30, 2025 full launch. |
| Platforms | Steam, Xbox, and PlayStation, as named in Embark’s 2026 announcement. | Steam, Epic Games Store, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S, as listed in Embark’s 2025 announcement. |
| What it offered | Full-game access for the promotion window, per Embark’s announcement. | A limited open pre-launch test focused on Dam Battlegrounds and initial progression, per Embark’s announcement. |
Can you still play the Server Slam?
No. The Server Slam ran October 17–19, 2025, as a pre-launch test. It is not the current free-play event, and its platform list and limited test content should not be used as instructions for the 2026 promotion. Embark said no signup or code was required to join the original test, but that applied to the 2025 event.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What kind of game is ARC Raiders?
Embark describes ARC Raiders as a PvPvE extraction adventure: players scavenge topside while contending with hostile ARC machines and other Raiders. In a September 2025 article for Xbox Wire, Embark narrative designer Celia Lewis explained that the game had shifted from a co-op-only concept toward this PvPvE format, where staying topside longer carries greater risk. The current promotion offers a chance to try that full-game loop rather than the narrower Server Slam test.
For the historical Server Slam, Epic Games Store listed Windows 10 64-bit, 12 GB RAM, DirectX 12, and a GTX 1050 Ti, RX 580, or Intel Arc A380 as minimum PC requirements. Those were requirements attached to the 2025 playtest listing, not verified system requirements for the 2026 full game; consult the current store listing for up-to-date requirements.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- ARC Raiders–Inspired Design: Bold, high-quality graphics with vibrant colors that capture the iconic ARC Raiders aesthetic.
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- Versatile Décor & Gift Idea: Ideal for personalizing gear, accessories, and spaces, and a great gift for ARC Raiders fans.
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- Capture and Tame Dinosaurs: Discover over 100 different dinosaurs and prehistoric creatures on the island, finding ways to tame them into useful additions for your tribe's dyno herd
- Survive Above All: Hunger, thirst, basic safety, and protecting yourself from the weather are all part of the game
- Harvest, Hunt and Build: Cut down trees and turn them into a basic home, which you can quickly expand into a Jurassic estate. Hunt for meat, scavenge for plants (or start your own garden!)
- Customize Everything: An extensive crafting system invites you to mix and match materials scavenged from the island, while also modifying the colors, textures, shapes, and styles
- Explore the Island: Solve the mystery of The ARK as you explore this massive island, discovering Explorer's Notebooks (filled with clues!) throughout
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