Embark Reduces Arc Raiders Loot Speed Unannounced, Reveals High-Speed Loot Was Unintended
Embark Studios has officially confirmed a reduction in the looting speed in their recent update, dubbed Headwinds, for the game Arc Raiders. This change has generated substantial discussion within the gaming community, particularly since it was not disclosed in the patch notes.
Understanding the Looting Speed Reduction
Following the Headwinds update, players quickly observed that the speed at which loot items could be collected had significantly decreased. Initially, some team members suggested that this adjustment was unintentional, but the developer clarified that the slower loot extraction was a deliberate change aimed at balancing gameplay.
Details from the Developer
In a communication on the Arc Raiders Discord, an Embark representative named Ossen stated, “We have heard you wondering about the loot appearing too slowly. We have rebalanced the speed at which the first item appears when looting.”
Ossen further explained, “The current speed is intentional.” Although the change was meant to enhance the gaming experience, it has left many players reeling, as they had been enjoying a previously faster looting mechanism.
The Impact on Gameplay
Before the Headwinds patch, the looting speed was reportedly much quicker, which many players attributed to an unintended enhancement. Post-update, looting seems to require approximately 30% more time to complete, even when using the Looter’s Instincts skill, which was designed to accelerate looting.
- Looter’s Instincts: Provides an increase in loot collection speed.
- Looter’s Luck: Offers a chance to identify two lootable items simultaneously.
While Looter’s Luck appears unaffected, the changes to Looter’s Instincts are causing concern, leading players to speculate about potential bugs influencing the gameplay.
Community Reactions and Speculations
The unexpected nerf has generated confusion and speculation among Arc Raiders players. Many believe that the new looting speed might be the result of a fix for a previously unintentional speed enhancement introduced in an earlier update called Cold Snap.
Despite this uncertainty, community managers have expressed awareness of the issue and are reportedly investigating complaints regarding related game mechanics, such as weapon fire rates.
Conclusion
As players come to terms with the modified looting speed in Arc Raiders, the implications for gameplay strategies are significant. The effectiveness of skills like Looter’s Instincts may require reassessment, and players will need to adjust their farming methods accordingly. The discussions regarding this change underscore the importance of clear communication from developers, especially in managing community expectations.
