Sometimes the biggest conversations in a live game start with the smallest update. ARC Raiders Hotfix 1.7.3 is a perfect example — it doesn’t add new toys, but it touches something players care about a lot: fair matches.
This hotfix removed a command called “NewConsole.” Embark said it was never meant to be available to players, and they’re investigating related reports to protect fair play.
That wording is doing a lot of work. It tells us this wasn’t just a random setting that slipped through. It was something that could create problems if it stayed accessible.
If you’ve been seeing people ask “what is NewConsole?”, “was it an exploit?”, or “should I worry?”, this article is built for you. Simple language, clear lines between what’s confirmed and what’s just noise.
ARC Raiders Hotfix 1.7.3 Patch Notes (Official Summary)
Hotfix 1.7.3 is very direct: one main change, clearly stated. The “NewConsole” command is gone. No long list, no confusing wording, no “maybe this helps” type of patch note.
The reason matters even more than the change. Embark said this command was never supposed to be available to players. That’s not how they talk about normal settings or harmless UI bugs. It’s the kind of line you see when something crosses into “this can be abused.”
They also said they’re investigating related reports and may take action to protect fair play. That suggests the team didn’t just remove a button — they’re looking at what happened around it.
Here’s the cleanest way to understand the hotfix:
| Part of the hotfix | What it says in plain English | Why players care |
|---|---|---|
| “NewConsole” removed | You can’t use it anymore | Stops an unintended feature from being used |
| Reports investigated | The team is looking into what happened | Signals potential follow-up and enforcement |
| “Fair play” language | They’re framing it as an integrity issue | Points to competitive impact, not cosmetic stuff |
What Is the “NewConsole” Command in ARC Raiders?
In many games, a command is basically a typed instruction. Developers use commands to test things quickly: camera behavior, debug menus, performance checks, and other tools that are helpful during development.
Players usually never touch those tools. They’re hidden, locked behind dev builds, or removed before the game ships. When a command shows up in a live environment, people assume it might do more than it should.
“NewConsole” looked suspicious right away because the name sounds like a tool. It doesn’t sound like “graphics setting” or “accessibility option.” It sounds like something meant for internal use.
And once a “hidden command” gets noticed, it spreads fast. Even if only a handful of people can trigger it, everyone starts asking the same question: “Is someone getting an advantage over me?”
Is “NewConsole” an Exploit or Cheat? (Confirmed vs. Rumor)
Let’s keep this clean and fair. Embark confirmed three things: the command existed, it was removed, and it was not meant for players. They also confirmed they’re investigating reports and may take action to protect fair play.
What they didn’t do is publish a step-by-step explanation of what it enabled. That might feel frustrating, but it’s normal. If a feature can be abused, developers often avoid sharing details that help people repeat it.
Outside of official notes, players and articles discussed “NewConsole” as something that could create unfair advantages. The exact claims vary depending on where you read them, which is a good reason not to treat any single rumor as the full story.
Here’s the best way to frame it without guessing:
| Statement | How to treat it |
|---|---|
| “NewConsole was removed.” | Confirmed |
| “It wasn’t meant for players.” | Confirmed |
| “Embark is investigating reports and may take action.” | Confirmed |
| “It gave a specific advantage (X).” | Reported/rumored (details differ) |
| “Everyone who tried it will be banned.” | Not confirmed |
The safe takeaway is simple: Embark removed it because it shouldn’t have been accessible, and they’re treating it seriously.
Why Removing “NewConsole” Matters for Fair Play
ARC Raiders is an extraction shooter. That means fights aren’t just about winning the moment — they affect your progress, your loot, and your willingness to queue again.
In a game like this, even a small edge can snowball. If someone can see information they shouldn’t, react earlier than they should, or change how the game behaves in a way others can’t, it breaks trust fast.
That’s why the “fair play” wording hits harder than a normal bug fix note. It tells players the team is looking at this through the lens of competitive integrity, not “oops, a setting was messy.”
It also changes the mood. A fast removal doesn’t magically fix everything, but it does show the devs are willing to shut down risky behavior quickly instead of letting it linger.
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How to Update ARC Raiders After Hotfix 1.7.3 (Steam + Console)
First, make sure you’re actually on the newest build. A lot of “is it still happening?” posts come from players who never fully pulled the update.
On PC, the easiest fix is usually boring: restart your platform client and let it check again. If the download is stuck or looks weird, verifying files can help — but don’t start there unless you need to.
On console, updates can sit in the background, especially if you leave the system in rest mode. A quick reboot often forces the update check and clears the queue.
Quick checklist:
Steam (PC)
- Restart Steam
- Confirm the game updates
- Optional: Verify files only if the patch won’t apply
PlayStation / Xbox
- Manually check for updates on the game
- Restart the console if nothing appears
- Make sure you have enough storage space
After that, keep your setup simple. If you use launch options or unusual tweaks, try one clean session first so you can tell what’s normal.
If You Used “NewConsole” — What You Should Do Now
If you tested it out, don’t panic — but don’t keep poking at it either. The best move is to stop and avoid anything that looks like an unintended feature.
Also, don’t share “how to do it” steps. Even if your intent is “education,” those posts usually turn into a how-to guide for abuse. That’s the opposite of helping.
Be careful with anything labeled as a “tool,” “injector,” “unlocker,” or “fix.” When a community is heated, shady downloads spread fast. If something promises secret settings, it’s safer to assume it’s trouble.
If you want to do the right thing, report what you saw through official channels. Keep it factual: platform, what happened, when it happened, and anything you can reproduce without digging into unintended behavior.
What to Watch Next (Follow-up Hotfixes, Enforcement, More Patch Notes)
When a dev team removes something like this, there are usually two tracks afterward: more fixes, and behind-the-scenes review.
The next visible step could be another hotfix that shuts down related issues. Sometimes those notes stay short on purpose. When a problem is tied to abuse, developers often keep patch notes vague so they don’t teach people what to replicate.
The other track is enforcement. That doesn’t always come with a big announcement. Some studios never confirm ban waves in detail, because it gives cheaters a scoreboard.
A simple “watch list” for players:
- more hotfix notes that mention investigations or integrity
- fewer “weird” clips that look like unintended behavior
- fewer repeat reports about the same advantage
- matches that feel more consistent, especially in high-skill lobbies
If those things improve over the next updates, it’s a good sign the problem is being squeezed from multiple angles.
ARC Raiders Hotfix 1.7.3 FAQ
What Hotfix 1.7.3 Means for Players
Hotfix 1.7.3 removes a command that wasn’t supposed to be in players’ hands. That’s the main point, and it matters.
Embark also used clear language about fair play and integrity, and said they’re investigating related reports. That tells you the team is taking the situation seriously and looking beyond the single toggle they removed.
For players, the best move is straightforward: update the game, keep your setup clean, and stay away from anything that looks like an unintended command or a workaround.
If more fixes roll out, expect the same style: short notes, fast changes, and a focus on keeping matches fair.
