ARC Raiders opens a free October 8–12 trial as Frozen Trail arrives

ARC Raiders will be free to try on Steam, PS5 and Xbox Series from October 8 through October 12. The Embark announcement promises access to the full game, with Frozen Trail arriving on the opening day. The trial starts Thursday at 5 a.m. EDT / 2 a.m. PDT and ends Monday at 4 a.m. EDT / 1 a.m. PDT.

This is temporary access before a purchase, rather than a permanent giveaway. Steam, Xbox and PlayStation are the named platforms. Epic Games Store sells ARC Raiders, but the announcement does not include it in the free-play offer. You need an internet connection, an Embark ID and an account for your chosen platform.

The extraction is the objective

A raid sends you to the surface to scavenge resources while dealing with machines and other players. Getting your haul to an extraction point is how you secure it, so deciding when to leave matters alongside winning a fight. Our gaming dictionary covers more of the terminology you may encounter.

The trial gives you time to see whether that mix of exploration, combat and retreat works for you. Friends can join your squad during the free period without buying the game first.

A teammate can open the new map to newcomers

Frozen Trail introduces the icy mountain map Pendola Pass, where a huge Emperor machine has fallen. New players can enter immediately if they team up with someone who has already unlocked the map. Creating an account during the trial does not independently bypass that requirement.

Embark’s Frozen Trail preview also introduces the aggressive Bully enemy and a boardable Frigate, with rival Raiders competing for what is inside. Reaching that content may require progression or a prepared group, even though the trial provides the full game.

Paid cosmetics remain a separate question

Frozen Trail includes both free and premium Reward Passes. Full-game trial access should not be read as a promise of every paid cosmetic. Our guide to DLC, expansions and season passes explains how those purchases differ.

The free-play announcement does not specify progress carryover after a purchase or console subscription requirements for the promotion. Check your platform’s listing before relying on either.