Embark Studios is testing a new kernel-level anti-cheat solution for ARC Raiders, with the studio saying the work is meant to improve both detection and accuracy across Speranza and the Rust Belt. The update comes shortly after Riven Tides went live, giving the extraction shooter a new map, enemy, event rewards and another round of live-service pressure points to keep fair.
In an official fair-play update, Embark said ARC Raiders currently combines kernel-level protection from Easy Anti-Cheat with machine-learning models trained on player telemetry. The studio also uses other security layers it is not detailing publicly, citing operational security.
"Kernel-level detection is a necessity because most commercial cheats operate within that space. Without it, we'd have little to no visibility into the tools doing the most damage."
Kernel-level anti-cheat remains one of PC gaming's most sensitive security topics because it gives detection software deep access to a player's system. Embark's explanation frames that access as a practical requirement for catching commercial cheats that also operate at that level, not as a finished answer to ARC Raiders' cheating problem.
The next step is a new kernel-level solution now in testing. Embark says it expects the tool to "sharpen both detection and precision throughout Speranza and the Rust Belt," while its machine-learning work continues to analyze input telemetry. The studio said it has been working with Anybrain on that research from the start.
Accessibility devices are part of the anti-cheat challenge
A large part of Embark's update focuses on accessibility hardware, which can create difficult false-positive risks for anti-cheat teams. The studio said official devices from major platforms are easier to recognize, but players can rely on lesser-known hardware because official solutions are often expensive.
"The signal we care about is intent. Our systems analyze telemetry and communication patterns to distinguish legitimate accessibility use from abuse, so players who depend on these devices to play can keep playing."
Embark said Anybrain is helping expand its knowledge of accessibility devices so its machine-learning detection can become more reliable over time. That detail is important for ARC Raiders because aggressive cheat detection can only help the game if legitimate players, including players using adaptive setups, are not pushed out by mistake.
The studio also said ban appeals are reviewed by a person on the team and are not fully automated. Embark acknowledged that waiting for an answer or receiving standardized support responses can be frustrating, but said each appeal is reviewed to help test and refine its systems.
The timing puts the fair-play post in the middle of a busy update window for ARC Raiders. Riven Tides launched on April 27 with the coastal Riven Tides map, the ARC Turbine enemy, Beachcombing, Last Resort rewards and new cosmetics, followed by patch 1.27.0 on May 5 to fix several issues introduced around the update. Embark says more anti-cheat updates are coming, but it has not announced a release date for the new kernel-level solution.