Arc Raiders Aim Assist Controversy Linked to FPS

The Arc Raiders community is currently embroiled in a debate over the fairness of aim assist, following a viral clip involving streamer Nick 'Nickmercs' Kolcheff. The controversy began when users on Reddit accused the streamer of using cheats due to suspiciously precise aiming. Upon closer review, however, players discovered that the game's aim assist functionality appears to scale with frame rates (FPS). This discovery shifted the focus from individual cheating to a systemic issue where PC players with high-end hardware may possess a significant advantage over console players. The situation has prompted widespread calls for developer Embark Studios to investigate and potentially adjust the game's aim assist mechanics to ensure fair competition.

The controversy began when a short gameplay video featuring Nick 'Nickmercs' Kolcheff was posted to Reddit. The clip, which shows the streamer using a Renegade rifle and an Xbox controller to shoot down two Arc drones, quickly accumulated over 2,400 comments. While the gameplay appeared standard at first glance, many viewers noted what they described as "almost robotic precision."

Comments on the post expressed immediate skepticism regarding the legitimacy of the aiming mechanics. One user noted, "This is super sketchy," while another suggested the footage showed signs of external software assistance. The visual of the aim snapping between targets convinced a segment of the community that the streamer was utilizing cheats to enhance his performance for his audience.

However, the narrative began to shift as community members conducted their own investigations. Reddit user roartex89 published a video comparing aim assist sensitivity between PC and console platforms. The footage appeared to show a drastic difference in how the feature functioned, suggesting that the issue might be technical rather than malicious.

Following the initial accusations, further analysis by users including awhaling and ttvimShinyatheninja pointed to frames per second (FPS) as the primary variable. The investigation revealed that PCs capable of achieving higher framerates could utilize aim assist to snap between targets with significantly more ease than those on lower-end systems.

The disparity is most evident when comparing high-end PC setups to current-generation consoles. Arc Raiders is capped at 60 FPS on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X | S. Conversely, a high-end gaming PC can achieve frame rates as high as 240 FPS. The community believes this performance gap directly translates to a stronger aim assist effect on PC.

This technical limitation has led to accusations that the game's accessibility features inadvertently create a "pay-to-win" environment. As one user stated, "Whoever has the better PC wins." The sentiment reflects growing frustration over the perceived imbalance, where hardware capability dictates combat effectiveness rather than player skill alone.

In response to these findings, the Arc Raiders player base has turned its attention to the game's crossplay functionality. Many players are now questioning the fairness of matching console users against PC players, given the apparent mechanical advantage held by the latter group. The debate has expanded beyond the initial cheating allegations to a broader discussion about competitive integrity.

Several community members have expressed reluctance to participate in crossplay until the issue is resolved. One Reddit user commented, "Until resolved console players should not be playing with PC players to preserve a fair environment." Another user highlighted the dual advantage PC players might possess, stating, "PC already have superior inputs with [mouse and keyboard] and now they also have better aim assist?"

The backlash has resulted in a push for players to disable crossplay in the game's settings. This movement underscores the community's desire for a level playing field, particularly in a competitive shooter environment where small mechanical differences can determine the outcome of engagements.

Nickmercs addressed the initial cheating allegations during a livestream on January 12, denying any wrongdoing. With the community's focus shifting toward the technical aspects of aim assist, the streamer has largely been absolved of blame in the eyes of the public. The spotlight is now firmly on developer Embark Studios to provide clarity and a potential fix.

Players have taken to official channels, including Reddit, X/Twitter, and Discord, to request a response from the studio regarding the aim assist mechanics. As of now, Embark Studios has not issued a public comment on the matter. The game, which launched on October 30, 2025, is currently in its third month of operation, and the developer is known to be working on various updates.

This controversy arrives during a period of heightened sensitivity regarding game integrity in Arc Raiders. The community had recently pleaded for the studio to crack down on an "epidemic" of cheating and exploits. While the studio has promised to clean up lobbies, the current debate highlights a different type of imbalance that players are eager to see addressed.