The popular third-person shooter, Arc Raiders, has once again been hit by a critical bug that severely impacts its in-game economy. Following a recent incident involving item duplication glitches that resulted in player bans, a new exploit has surfaced, allowing players to achieve infinite ammunition and repair any weapon at no cost. This vulnerability undermines the game's design, which aims to balance weapon maintenance and resource management, particularly for high-tier items.
This latest bug was brought to public attention by a user named Genos on the social media platform X. The method involves a series of rapid weapon switches within the inventory when two damaged firearms are present. By repeatedly swapping between these weapons, players can trigger an unintended repair mechanism. To make these repairs permanent and exploit the glitch further, players must then drop the affected weapons and pick them up again. This action 'saves' their newly repaired state, bypassing the need for in-game currency or resources.
The consequences of this exploit extend beyond mere repairs. Genos further demonstrated that this same technique could be used to generate an unlimited supply of ammunition. By unloading a weapon each time it's picked up after the rapid-switch process, players can effectively conjure bullets out of thin air. This aspect of the bug is particularly detrimental to the game's balance, especially when applied to high-end weapons that typically require expensive and scarce ammunition. For instance, the Hullcracker, a powerful weapon, can be utilized with an endless supply of its costly ammo, completely bypassing the intended economic constraints.
A video shared by Genos illustrates another astonishing effect of this glitch: the ability to merge weapon capacities. When using a high-capacity weapon like the Torrente in conjunction with a smaller weapon such as a Venator or Bobcat, the game appears to get confused, transferring the heavy weapon's magazine capacity to the smaller firearm. In one striking example, a Bobcat, typically a bullet-hungry SMG, was shown to have 102 bullets in its magazine, essentially transforming it into a light machine gun. This dramatically alters combat dynamics, as weapons designed for rapid but limited fire become overwhelmingly powerful.
While the free repair aspect of the bug, which makes maintaining expensive weapons like the Bettina or Tempest cost-free, might seem less impactful than infinite ammo, both glitches fundamentally break the game's intended item economy. The developer, Embark Studios, had previously taken a firm stance against item duplication, issuing bans to exploiting players. It is highly probable that similar actions will be taken against those found abusing this new repair and ammunition exploit, as it creates an unfair advantage and disrupts the competitive integrity of the game.
This recurring pattern of game-breaking bugs poses a significant challenge for Arc Raiders and its developers. The game relies on a balanced economic system to encourage strategic gameplay and resource management. When exploits allow players to bypass these core mechanics, it not only frustrates legitimate players but also threatens the longevity and appeal of the game. Addressing these vulnerabilities promptly and effectively is crucial for maintaining player trust and ensuring a fair gaming environment.