ARC Raiders' Frozen Trail update is live on PC, PlayStation and Xbox. Embark is opening the full game for a free trial from October 8 at 09:00 UTC until October 12 at 08:00 UTC, giving new players access to the same extraction game and 2.0 update as existing owners rather than a restricted demo.
Pendola Pass raises the fight above the Rust Belt
The new mountain region centres on the wreck of an Emperor machine. Pendola Pass introduces the Bully, Skulker and Hydra, while the Frigate begins patrolling the wider Rust Belt. Embark describes the Hydra as a squad-killing defender around the Emperor and Frigate, which makes the update less about a fresh backdrop and more about changing how coordinated groups approach high-value areas.
New players do not automatically unlock every route alone. Embark says they can enter Pendola Pass immediately when grouped with someone who has already unlocked it. That detail matters for trial squads: joining an established player is the direct route into the headline map.
Outposts turn the update into a progression reset point
Frozen Trail adds Outposts, upgrades weapons to a fifth tier and unlocks special abilities. Tethers and a Grapple Hook expand movement and control, while two new weapons broaden the arsenal. Together, those additions give returning players a progression objective beyond learning Pendola Pass.
The free period is temporary, and the game is also discounted by 50% during launch. Frozen Trail itself is the game update; the separate Collector Set DLC contains cosmetics, 2,400 Raider Tokens and access to the premium reward pass. Players deciding after the trial should distinguish buying the game from buying that optional reward bundle.
