It’s been a few days since the thrilling Arc Raiders Server Slam concluded, and if you’re like us, you’re probably itching for more! Good news: the full launch is just around the corner. However, developer Embark Studios has been busy applying some crucial tweaks based on player feedback from the recent open playtest. Expect visual refinements addressing earlier downgrade concerns and a rebalance of those relentless flying Arc machines. But for those of you who mastered the Server Slam’s most lucrative exploit, we have some bittersweet news: the infamous Dam Tower loot cave is getting patched.
For those who might have missed out, the Dam Tower stood as a major hotspot on Arc Raiders’ Dam Battlegrounds map. It wasn’t just a strategic high ground; it also housed a coveted, locked room brimming with valuable loot near its apex. Access was intended to be exclusive—requiring a hard-earned key, perhaps looted from an enemy. However, resourceful players quickly discovered a daring, unintended shortcut into this treasure trove in the new multiplayer game.
The ingenious method involved parkouring to the very top of the Dam Tower, carefully shimmying to the roof’s edge, and then executing a precise drop to a hidden ledge below. From there, a quick pull-up would lead directly into the loot-filled chamber, guarded only by a handful of minor Arc machines. It was a high-stakes maneuver—miss the grab, and it was a long drop to oblivion. Yet, with practice, it became a masterable risk-reward pathway, offering not only easy entry but also a safe exit since the door could be unlocked from within.
Embark Studios openly acknowledged and even applauded players’ cleverness in uncovering this exploit, stating in a recent blog post: “We watched many of you bravely, and perhaps a little too easily, access the Launch Tower on Dam Battlegrounds. It was fun to watch, but a bit too accessible for a key loot location. That’s been fixed to keep the challenge sharp.” So, while your ingenuity was impressive, the shortcut is officially gone to maintain game balance.
Beyond the loot cave, Embark also tackled player feedback regarding the highly sensitive flying Arc machines, such as the Snitch and Hornet. These aerial threats were notorious for tracking player movement, often spotting you even when hidden behind dense foliage or other environmental cover (a frustrating experience many, including myself, encountered). The studio has admitted that “their awareness was a bit too high.” Consequently, these flying enemies will be less effective at detecting players through natural cover like trees and bushes upon release, offering a fairer stealth experience.
Visuals were another point of discussion, with some players noting a perceived downgrade in sharpness and vibrancy compared to earlier playtests. An Embark community manager previously clarified this was part of “optimization to ensure higher and more stable framerates on low and mid spec hardware.”
In their latest post, the studio reiterated that “the default settings did change a bit to favor more performance,” confirming their commitment to further tuning to achieve the ideal balance between visual fidelity and smooth gameplay.
They also treated us to a fascinating infographic packed with Server Slam statistics, which you can view below. It’s reassuring to know I wasn’t alone in being caught off guard by those intense thunderstorms!
With Arc Raiders launching on Thursday, October 30, now’s the perfect time to check out the official system requirements. If you’re looking for more challenging environments to conquer while you wait, explore our recommendations for the best survival games.
Did you participate in the Server Slam? We’d love to hear your thoughts and whether your experience has you hyped for launch! Join the discussion in our Discord community.