ARC Raiders developer Embark Studios has launched a promotional tie-in with Subway, letting players in the United States unlock in-game cosmetic rewards, including a Subway-themed armour set, by purchasing a qualifying meal. The move has drawn criticism from a player base that has been shrinking for months, as many had hoped for actual new content rather than a fast-food marketing collaboration, highlighting frustration over the extraction shooter's slow post-launch update pace.

ARC Raiders launched to strong popularity last October and grew further in early 2026, but Embark confirmed in May that its next major content drop, an update called Frozen Trail, would not arrive until 8 October. That update is set to add a new map, tougher enemy challenges, new ARC foes and progression changes, but with a two-month wait still ahead, the Subway collaboration has struck many fans as a poor substitute. Beyond wanting more content, players have repeatedly asked Embark for a PvE mode in the PvE-versus-PvP shooter, a demand echoed by fans of Bungie's similarly structured game Marathon, which is fast-tracking its own PvE mode for launch next month.