ARC Raiders Players Frustrated by Bird City Map Event Scheduling

🗺️ Bird City Scheduling Sparks Player Backlash

ARC Raiders players are voicing serious concerns over the newest map condition, Bird City, with many saying the event’s limited schedule makes it nearly impossible to participate. The issue has quickly become a hot topic within the community, as players from multiple regions report that the event windows clash with normal work and daily routines.

This isn’t the first time timing has been a pain point for ARC Raiders. Previous map modifiers have also been criticized for being active at inconvenient hours, but Bird City appears to have reignited the conversation in a big way.

🌀 Headwinds Update Brings Big Changes — and New Controversy

The Bird City modifier arrived as part of ARC Raiders’ first major update of 2026, known as the Headwinds patch. Released on January 27, the update officially kicked off the game’s roadmap, which promises monthly content drops through April.

Key additions in the update included:

A new and controversial 1v3 matchmaking option
A Buried City–exclusive map modifier
A new in-game store bundle
Multiple bug fixes and quality-of-life improvements

While the update delivered fresh content, many players say they still haven’t been able to experience Bird City due to its restrictive availability.

⏰ Global Players Call for a Dynamic Schedule

Bird City is now part of ARC Raiders’ growing list of map modifiers, alongside Electromagnetic Storm, Launch Tower Loot, and Lush Blooms. However, its limited time windows have drawn sharp criticism.

Players report that Bird City is only available during:

8AM – 9AM
4PM – 5PM
12AM – 1AM

For players in regions like GMT and EST, these times often conflict with standard work hours or sleep schedules. Many have taken to Reddit and social media to request a rotating or shifting schedule that would allow fair access for players worldwide.

Common community suggestions include:

Rotating event times daily
Shifting windows by one to two hours each night
Implementing region-friendly schedules

The demand for a more flexible system has become one of the most consistent requests since ARC Raiders launched.

🎯 Other Ongoing Community Requests

Scheduling isn’t the only concern players have raised. With many players now reaching max level and acquiring high-tier gear, there are growing calls for:

High-value raids
Restrictions on free loadouts in certain activities
More endgame-focused challenges

While Embark has acknowledged some of these ideas, players were disappointed that the Headwinds update instead introduced the 1v3 matchmaking mode — a feature many say they never asked for.

🔧 Weapon Changes and Looting Adjustments

The update also brought some unexpected changes. Players quickly noticed reduced fire rates on the Kettle and Venator weapons. Embark later confirmed these were accidental and released a hotfix to revert them.

However, slower looting speeds appear to be intentional. Embark stated that loot reveal speeds were previously incorrect and that the current pacing reflects the intended design — a change that has also sparked debate among players.

🧠 Final Thoughts

Bird City’s scheduling has become a flashpoint for ARC Raiders players who want more inclusive, globally accessible events. As the game continues its 2026 content roadmap, many in the community hope Embark will prioritize a dynamic scheduling system to ensure new content can be enjoyed by everyone — not just players in select time zones.

If Embark responds to this feedback, it could go a long way toward improving player satisfaction and long-term engagement.