Embark Studios is bringing brighter skies to Arc Raiders with the Headwinds update, set to roll out worldwide on January 27, 2026, on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam. This update launches the Escalation Roadmap for early 2026, warming up the Cold Snap season with new content for seasoned Raiders.
The Headwinds update brings “Solo vs. Squads” matchmaking, available only to players at level 40+, where lone wolves go head-to-head with full squads for extra XP rewards and high-stakes bragging rights, ideal for streamers looking for the ultimate skill challenge. The Buried City map gets a new “Bird City” game mode, where scavenger birds swarm the ruins, making chimneys the new hotspots for loot amidst sand-covered dangers and enemy ambushes.
Players can also take on the “Trophy Display” mission, hunting giant ARC machines for sport to create a personal collection, gaining access to more rare blueprints and items such as the stealthy Sandwalker Set. Other rewards include new quests, open parties, increased squad invites, and quality-of-life changes to make raiding easier in the Rust Belt.
Speculation included sandstorms or swamps, but the birds swooping in have generated memes on Reddit and other social media platforms, with some players looking at the mode for Twitch content. Headwinds lays the groundwork for February’s Shrouded Sky (new ARC machines), March’s Flashpoint, and April’s Riven Tides with a new map.