Embark Studios Targets Arc Raiders Duplication Glitches in Update 1.34.0

Embark Studios may have finally gained the upper hand in its long-running battle against item duplication in Arc Raiders. Following the release of Store Update 1.34.0 on June 23, players are reporting a noticeable decline in the effectiveness of the tools used to break the game's economy.

For months, the extraction shooter has been plagued by a cycle of exploits that allowed users to duplicate items, ranging from simple rubber ducks to high-value gear and infinite ammunition. The frustration among the player base has been palpable, with many feeling that the developer's previous attempts to curb cheating were insufficient. However, this latest patch appears to have rattled those behind the exploits.

In a popular thread on the Arc Raiders subreddit, users shared a screenshot from a discord server dedicated to duplication tools. The screenshot reveals that developers of one prominent dupe tool—which relied on Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP)—have suspended sales. The creator of the tool admitted that the latest fix by Embark makes finding a workaround "really complex" and "a bit tricky," labeling any further attempts to bypass the security as "a long shot."

A History of Escalation

This update follows a series of attempts by Embark to tighten security. In a June 16 patch, the team focused on bolstering Denuvo Anti-Cheat, explicitly stating at the time that they were "taking strict measures against those involved" in duplication. The studio's messaging has remained consistent, with community lead Ossen confirming that update 1.34.0 was specifically designed to tackle "some instances of duplication exploits."

While the game has suffered from a near-constant parade of glitches, the current reaction from the cheating community suggests that Embark's latest safeguards are more effective than previous iterations. The struggle has been a significant point of contention for the community, as the prevalence of duplicated items like Tempest blueprints threatened the balance of the game's economy.

What Comes Next?

Despite the temporary success of the June 23 update, the developers are not resting on their laurels. Embark has previously announced that it is preparing a new kernel-level anti-cheat system for Arc Raiders. The goal for this upcoming implementation is to "sharpen both detection and precision," aiming to address cheating at a deeper level than the current patches allowed. For now, law-abiding players can at least enjoy a brief respite from the endless loop of duplication glitches that have defined the shooter’s recent history.