Embark Studios' extraction shooter ARC Raiders has disabled NVIDIA Filters functionality, eliminating a controversial advantage that gave PC players superior visibility over console competitors. The change occurred on New Year's Day according to Game Rant, though neither Embark nor NVIDIA has confirmed whether the removal is intentional or a technical issue.
NVIDIA Filters allowed PC users to create custom visual overlays that dramatically improved enemy visibility in dark environments. This PC-exclusive feature created an uneven competitive landscape in the cross-platform shooter, which supports PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC play. Console players lacked equivalent brightness or gamma adjustment options within ARC Raiders' native settings.
The community response has divided players. Some praised the move on social media, with one Twitter user calling it a "good call" and describing the filters as "an exploit." Others expressed frustration about the game's visibility issues, particularly players with OLED monitors who noted "dark spots are literally impossible to see" according to Reddit discussions reported by Game Rant.
ARC Raiders continues to demonstrate strong commercial performance despite ongoing balance issues. The game topped Steam's sales charts for the final week of 2025 according to GamingBolt, outperforming titles like Battlefield 6 and Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. Rumors from November suggested the extraction shooter approached 7 million sales just one month after its October 2025 launch.
Embark Studios maintains long-term support plans for ARC Raiders. Art director Robert Sammelin recently stated the studio has a 10-year vision for the live-service title, telling GamingBolt "our ambition is to keep this game alive for the longest time." The developer released the Cold Snap update in December, introducing winter weather conditions that affect gameplay mechanics.
The NVIDIA Filters controversy coincides with other balance concerns in ARC Raiders. Players have reported issues with Trigger Grenades' overpowered damage output and blast radius, while a separate exploit involving the Kettle weapon allows macro users to achieve near-instant kills according to TheTimes.com.ng. The Kettle's generous frame rate cap enables firing rates exceeding 12 rounds per second when automated.
Embark Studios shifted its update schedule from Thursdays to Tuesdays before the holiday break. The developer's first 2026 patch is expected on January 6, though the studio monitored critical issues during the Christmas season according to Game Rant. The timing places potential NVIDIA Filters resolution alongside other anticipated balance adjustments.
ARC Raiders represents Embark Studios' debut title following its acquisition by Nexon. The extraction shooter launched to strong critical reception with an 87/100 OpenCritic average and 92% recommendation rate. The game's cross-platform functionality and live-service model position it for sustained engagement throughout Embark's planned decade-long support window.
The NVIDIA Filters situation highlights ongoing challenges in maintaining competitive parity across gaming platforms. As cross-play becomes increasingly standard in multiplayer titles, developers face complex technical and design decisions about feature parity. Embark's handling of the issue will likely influence community perception and player retention during ARC Raiders' crucial early growth phase.
