Home NewsARC Raiders: Free Update 2 Brings a Big Chill

ARC Raiders: Free Update 2 Brings a Big Chill

by Sophie Laurent

Key Takeaways

Created with AI - we're still experimenting, so apologies if it misses the mark

  • ARC Raiders Winter Chill transforms the game with snowy environments, new survival mechanics, and challenging trials due to frostbite damage and reevaluated strategies.
  • S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl receives additional content including Stories Untold update, new locations, characters, quests, and a mysterious emergency transmission.
  • ARC Raiders Winter Update features the Flickering Flames Challenge, new Raider Deck The Goalie, Project Candleberry Banquet, and seasonal Project Expedition for progress reset and rewards.
  • Both games, ARC Raiders and S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2, are receiving free updates delivering fresh content in the coming weeks.

Our favorite Goodies

ARC Raiders Winter Chill Transforms Raids into Challenging Trials

Fresh off its Best Multiplayer Game of the Year 2025 win at The Game Awards, Arc Raiders is offering a free preview of upcoming features starting December 16, 2025. Dynamic blizzards will cover the main maps—Buried Town, Space Port, Training Ground, and Blue Portal—transforming them with snow. This cold wave enhances the game’s aesthetics and introduces new survival mechanics. Prolonged exposure inflicts progressive frostbite damage, forcing players to manage healing items and seek shelter. This new environment requires a reevaluation of strategies, especially regarding equipment and movement, turning raids into more challenging trials where the terrain itself becomes an adversary and heightening the game’s immersive qualities. S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl is also receiving additional content, including the “Stories Untold” update and the GP37V2 rifle. The Stories Untold content drop takes players to the western Chornobyl Anomalous Zone following a mysterious emergency transmission. This update includes seven new locations, six new characters, and a new hub in the Burnt Forest area for storing loot. Players will also encounter other stalkers in familiar locations. The S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 update further includes: Eight new quests. A new storyline about strange occurrences near Malachite.

ARC Raiders Winter Update: Flickering Flames Challenge, New Raider Deck, Projects, and Expeditions

The GP37V2 rifle, featuring a built-in silencer, low-powered scope, and single-burst fire options. A 25-level challenge called “Flickering Flames” that tests endurance and patience, with rewards like unreleased loot, cosmetic items, and Raider Tokens. “Project Candleberry Banquet,” a group project where raiders collect Candleberries to brighten festivities on Speranza. The second Raider Deck, “The Goalie,” which will be added for free to all editions of the game starting December 26th. Unlike temporary events, this content will be permanently accessible. “Project Expedition,” which allows raiders to seasonally reset their progress, restarting with certain bonuses and rewards retained. With free updates delivering a wealth of fresh content for both titles, players have much to look forward to in the coming weeks.

In Case You Missed It

In our ongoing exploration of indie games pushing boundaries, Ahmed Hassan’s latest article, “Indie Creator Claims This is the First Game in the World Made Entirely with AI,” published yesterday on Players For Life, takes us on a fascinating journey through Codex Mortis’ development. Created by Grolaf in just three months, this game claims to be entirely crafted using artificial intelligence, from TypeScript code built with AI assistance to visuals generated via ChatGPT and replaced animations. Sparking intrigue amidst criticism, Codex Mortis offers a free Steam demo for eager players. Meanwhile, Lenny Kravitz steps into the shadows of the iconic James Bond universe in Jonathan Dubinski’s latest piece, where we learn that the Grammy-winning artist has been cast as formidable villain Bawma in IO Interactive’s upcoming game, “007: First Light,” set to release on March 27. And speaking of comeback kings, Sophie Laurent just dropped a bombshell about a Nintendo 64 classic preparing for its grand return. Titled ‘A Massive Nintendo 64 Classic Preparing for Its Grand Return, Leaked,’ this article gives us a sneak peek into an iconic franchise’s revival slated for around 2026, promising serious nostalgia from Banjo-Kazooie to Super Smash Bros. Dive into these thrilling reads here: Codex Mortis Indie Creator Claims This is the First Game in the World Made Entirely with AI, Lenny Kravitz in new James Bond game Lenny Kravitz in New James Bond, and the Nintendo 64 classic revival A Massive Nintendo 64 Classic Preparing for Its Grand Return, Leaked.

ARC Raiders: Free Update 2 Brings a Big Chill ARC Raiders Key Art 6

Specification
Official NameGroove Coaster: Initial Initial Echo Ego
Brief SummaryTouhou Project music DLC for Groove CoasterTitle: Initial Initial Echo EgoArtist: RD-Sounds*Arrange from Touhou ShinreibyouDifficulty: Simple 2 / Normal 5 / Hard 8BPM: 156
GenreMusic
Play ModesSingle player

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Links to external sources for further reading

    (https://www.google.com/preferences/source?q=screenrant.com)::https://screenrant.com/stalker-2-stories-untold-update-free-dlc/|SEP|Stalker 2 Is Getting A Major, And Free, Story-Content Update Tomorrow::https://www.gamespot.com/articles/stalker-2-is-getting-a-major-and-free-story-content-update-tomorrow/1100-6536977/”]

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