Arc Raiders Cold Snap Update: Release Time, Features, and Full Breakdown

Arc Raiders is wrapping up its 2025 year with one of the most happening content drops that everyone has been waiting for. The coming of Cold Snap winter update has been made official by Embark Studios, which is going to launch on December 16, 2025. This update will be adding a lot, like the weather will turn snowy, introducing new quests, seasonal progression, and limited-time events for the extraction shooter game.
Although the studio has not yet revealed the precise minute of the launch, historical release patterns give a solid clue of when the players can expect the servers to be live.

ARC Raiders Cold Snap Release Schedule

Usually, Embark Studios rolls out big updates for Arc Raiders at the very beginning of the day in Pacific Time. The North Line update, to be precise, went live around 1:30 AM PT / 4:30 AM ET, and the community tracking indicates that Cold Snap will also be released around the same time.

If the situation is the same, then here’s the distribution of the regions across the globe where the release of ARC Raiders Cold Snap is expected:

Disclaimer: Please be informed that the times mentioned here are just approximations based on past updates. Nevertheless, an announcement from Embark Studios could still shift the launch window.

What’s Included in the Cold Snap Update

Cold Snap is a seasonal content release that greatly changes the gameplay of the current places rather than a complete map.

• Winter Weather Condition on Maps : A variable winter weather system that can be present for short times on almost all maps. Snow makes it harder to see, increases the atmosphere, and makes hiding more difficult, thereby compelling gamers to alter their strategy regarding movement and position.
• New Vendor Quests: New quests provided by sellers in Speranza, grew paths of development and rewarded players being involved in the winter-themed content.
• Flickering Flames Event: A temporary seasonal event with new goals and limited prizes directly linked to Cold Snap.
• New Raider Deck: Cosmetics and unlockable through seasonal challenges in a winter-themed progression track.
• Gameplay Tweaks and Fixes: Just​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌ like it was anticipated, Cold Snap is also changing the balance of the game, fixing bugs, and making quality-of-life improvements.

Player Tips Before Launch

• Log in early on December 16: The ARC Raiders Cold Snap release schedule strongly suggests an overnight or early-morning launch in Western regions.
• Keep an eye on the official sources: Final confirmation from Embark Studios might be found on Discord, X (Twitter), or the official website.
• Get ready for the Expedition reset: A little while after the Cold Snap going live, the window for the Expedition reset will open, thus allowing high-level Raiders to reset their progress in exchange for bonus rewards.

With the addition of snow mechanics, seasonal progression, and limited-time events, the ARC Raiders Cold Snap Update is one of the biggest content drops of the year for Arc Raiders and a great way to end 2025 before the holiday season. Whether you are after exclusive rewards or just want to test your survival skills in reduced visibility, the ARC Raiders Cold Snap release schedule is a turning point for the game's community that keeps ​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌expanding.