ARC Raiders players have something new to jump into today, as Embark Studios has launched the Shared Watch Event right on schedule for February 10, 2026. The event runs until February 24 and shifts the focus away from constant PvP tension toward more cooperative PvE play. Instead of worrying about getting backstabbed every raid, the idea here is to encourage players to work together against ARC machines across Speranza ARC Raiders Coins. It's clearly built around community feedback about toxic encounters, with the devs framing it as an event that rewards watching each other's backs rather than competing nonstop.

Progress during the event revolves around earning Merits, which act as the event currency. You get them by dealing damage to and destroying ARC enemies like Ticks, Shredders, and Fireballs. Even small contributions add up, so you don't need marathon raids to make progress — just focus on fighting machines instead of chasing players. Rewards sit on a shared track, with the standout being the Slugger cosmetic set. It's got a baseball theme, including umpire-style gear, bats, and some playful emotes. There are also Raider Tokens and other cosmetic unlocks along the way. If you're running with coordinated teams and hitting dense machine zones like Stella Montis or Dam Battlegrounds, you can move through tiers pretty quickly.

Teaming up is encouraged but not forced. The systems seem designed to reward things like revives, shared eliminations, and staying close to other raiders without locking you into formal squads. You'll naturally run into moments where strangers help cover you during firefights or join in on elite ARC packs. Cross-play between PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC makes that easier too, since platform doesn't matter. The timing also lines up with the return of the Cold Snap map condition, where players huddle inside buildings to survive freezing waves. That overlap could lead to some interesting temporary alliances, with rival groups sharing shelter instead of fighting on sight.

Community reactions are pretty lively so far. A lot of PvE-focused players like the direction and see it as a test run for more cooperative modes down the line. PvP-leaning players are more skeptical, joking that "teamwork" just means getting betrayed later. Embark has said there are safeguards in place to reduce griefing, and patch notes alongside the event go into more detail about Merit bonuses for group play.

The event also lands at a useful time in the broader roadmap. It sits just before the next Expedition sign-up phase and ahead of a teased update involving aerial ARC threats. In that sense, Shared Watch feels like a warm-up — giving players a chance to practice coordinated fights against ground units before things get more chaotic. Combined with bonuses from Cold Snap, it's a solid window for farming progression and building up resources.

There are also hints of extra rewards beyond the main cosmetic set, though not everything is confirmed. Some players are speculating about utility items or temporary buffs tied to cooperative play, based on how past events were structured. You can track Merit progress through the in-game event interface in Speranza, and it wouldn't be surprising if leaderboards or community milestones show up before the event wraps.

Shared Watch looks like an attempt to nudge the social side of ARC Raiders in a more positive direction, even if only temporarily u4gm ARC Raiders Coins. It gives solo players breathing room, lets squads optimize PvE runs, and offers a different raid atmosphere for a couple of weeks. If nothing else, it's a good excuse to stock up on cosmetics and Tokens while experimenting with less hostile raids before things shift back to the usual tension.