Arc Raiders: Riven Tides update and major changes
Intelligence Summary
- Discover the new Riven Tides update for Arc Raiders, featuring a new coastal map, quests, and major gameplay changes.
Arc Raiders: Riven Tides update and major changes
The Riven Tides update for Arc Raiders, released on April 28, 2026, has brought a range of new content and significant changes to the game. This update focuses on a new coastal map, introduces new enemies, and adds several new quests and gameplay improvements.
New content and features
With the Riven Tides update, the new "Riven Tides" map is introduced, set along the abandoned coast of Azzurro Beach. This area, which has been abandoned twice before, offers plenty to explore, including the Panorama Azzurro hotel and a massive harbor.
In addition, the update brings noticeable changes such as the introduction of the new enemy, the "ARC Turbine," a large mechanical creature that will react when players get too close. This calls for patience and strategy to overcome.
Important new quests
The update adds several new quests that give players a chance to get familiar with the new map. Some of the quests include:
- Shoring Up Defenses: Players must reinforce a structure and defeat enemies.
- Battening Down: In this quest, players are asked to take photos of broken walls and explore the coast.
- Line in the Sand: This mission takes place in the Buried City and asks players to find out why a train never reached Marano Station.
- Safe Harbor: In this quest, players must find clues in the Panorama Azzurro hotel.
Timeline
April 28, 2026: The Riven Tides update launches with a new coastal map and gameplay improvements.
April 28, 2026: The Last Resort event begins and runs until May 25, 2026, during which players can collect miniature ship models.
April 29, 2026: Players report that the crossplay feature is broken after the update, but Embark has confirmed that a fix is being worked on.
Competitive Trials changes
The update also aims to improve Trials in Season 4, a competitive mode that begins after level 15. These are randomized weekly challenges focused on rewarding players for their performance. Key changes include:
- Removing duplicate progression tied to major environmental conditions.
- Ending challenges that depend on specific weather conditions.
The variety of challenges will be improved, and Season 4 will offer new goals such as using specific gadgets and melee combat to earn points.
Ship models and merit collection
In the Riven Tides update, players can collect five types of miniature ship models, each awarding different amounts of merits depending on rarity. For the Last Resort event, players can earn merits by exploring new map locations and through XP. The merits can then be used for cosmetic items and in-game resources.
Ship Model Rarity List
- Wind Sprite: 5 Merits
- Twilight Compass: 10 Merits
- Velocity: 25 Merits
- Sirena Dorata: 50 Merits
- Leviathan's Crown: 250 Merits
Fixes and future support
Embark Studios has confirmed that they will support Arc Raiders for up to another decade. The focus is now on fixing the crossplay issue caused by the Riven Tides update. Players were left thinking the crossplay option had been disabled, but a temporary workaround was provided.
In addition, quality-of-life improvements are being rolled out, including an update for the PS5 Pro console that improves the game’s visual presentation. It’s important that players enjoy the new content and that the game experience continues to improve with ongoing updates.
Conclusion
The Riven Tides update for Arc Raiders gives players a wide range of new opportunities and improvements. From a new map to major gameplay changes, the future looks promising for both existing and new players. With interest in the competitive mode and new events, there’s plenty to explore in the coming weeks. Players can keep following their experiences as they prepare for the upcoming changes and content.
