Embark Studios Launches The Finals Third Year with Season 9 Dragon Rising Featuring New Megacity Map, 8v8 Mode, and more
Embark Studios is entering a pivotal new phase for its free to play first person shooter The Finals as the studio officially launches the game’s third year with Season 9 Dragon Rising. According to the official Season 9 patch notes the update delivers a broad upgrade slate that Embark characterizes as focused on growth accessibility and renewed competitive momentum. While ARC Raiders is positioned as Embark’s major flagship title the team makes it clear that The Finals remains an essential part of its live service portfolio following its surprise reveal and release during The Game Awards 2023.
Season 9 introduces a sweeping series of updates beginning with a new megacity arena known as Fangwai City a sprawling vertical environment that pushes traversal and combat dynamics further than previous maps. A fresh battle pass rounds out the seasonal structure accompanied by a range of quality of life improvements balance adjustments and system refinements designed to energize both returning and competitive players.
The most consequential addition is Point Break a new 8v8 mode that dramatically expands The Finals traditional scale. Embark’s origins trace back to former Battlefield developers and this mode is a strategic callback to that heritage capturing the kinetic shifting combat spaces that defined large scale skirmishes in the Battlefield series. In Point Break one team plays as attackers tasked with destroying key objectives while defenders work to fortify and protect them. The frontline evolves constantly ensuring that players always understand where the next engagement will erupt and what role they must fulfill to support the squad. It is a mode engineered for coordinated team play high impact destruction and a clear sense of battlefield direction a strong thematic parallel to the studio’s design DNA.
In addition to the new mode and map Season 9 deploys updates to the ranked system aimed at modernizing progression expectations and revitalizing competitive integrity. Embark positions this as part of its broader initiative to maintain relevance in a fast moving live service ecosystem where constant iteration is essential.
Whether Season 9 becomes the much needed surge of momentum that strengthens long term retention or another step toward diminishing engagement remains to be seen. For now Dragon Rising marks one of the boldest systemic updates since launch and a clear signal that Embark intends to push The Finals into a more ambitious and competitive third year.
What are your thoughts on the new 8v8 Point Break mode? Do you think Season 9 will reinvigorate The Finals player community?
