Arc Raiders' wall-breaking exploits took so long to fix because they were 'intrinsic to the way the game is built': 'Those things are very risky to patch rapidly'
PC Gamer
by Rory Norris February 20, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
Arc Raiders has faced several significant bugs since its release, with one particularly notorious being the "door glitch," which allowed players to break into locked rooms by shimmying through walls. Instead of attempting to block this exploit, developers at Embark Studios opted for a creative solution: turning these rooms into saunas equipped with flamethrowers to deter trespassers. Virgil Watkins, the game's design director, explained that such physics-based glitches are inherently complex and risky to patch quickly due to their deep integration into the game's core systems. Fixing them could inadvertently cause more severe issues, like rendering walls entirely permeable or breaking other critical aspects of the game.
The complexity stems from the game's underlying architecture, which involves intricate physics simulations and networking components. Watkins highlighted that these issues are "intrinsic" to how the game is built, making rapid fixes extremely challenging and potentially dangerous. For example, attempting to patch a wall-breaking glitch without fully understanding its implications could lead to unintended consequences, such as completely removing physical boundaries or destabilizing the game's environment. This explains whyEmbark chose an unconventional but effective workaround: booby-trapping the rooms instead of addressing the root cause.
In contrast, other types of glitches, like item duplication exploits, are easier to identify and fix because they involve more straightforward mechanics. The team was able to quickly develop a patch for these issues once they were identified, as they could clearly trace the steps involved in the exploit. This disparity underscores the varying levels of effort required to address different kinds of bugs, highlighting the unique challenges developers face when dealing with physics-based glitches.
For gamers and those interested in game development, this story illustrates the complexities of creating and maintaining a stable gaming experience. It also emphasizes the importance of careful design and testing in software development, as well as the creativity required to resolve issues without introducing new problems. Arc Raiders' journey with bugs serves as a reminder that even small-seeming glitches can have far
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Originally published on PC Gamer on 2/20/2026