Okay, so after eight years of being a total game-changer for the extraction shooter genre – seriously, it *defined* what these games are all about – Escape From Tarkov is finally almost done with early access! They’re saying this is the last month before the full release, which is wild to think about.
Game director Nikita Buyanov is calling the upcoming changes a ‘softcore’ update, and it’s expected to launch around tomorrow. This update seems to be a reaction to the challenging ‘hardcore’ cycle that began in July. As with the summer update, some players are questioning whether the developers’ vision of ‘softcore’ aligns with what the community wants.
The recent updates include a lot of quality-of-life improvements alongside the major changes. Players can expect more loot, a much larger carry capacity without being slowed down, easier access to the Flea Market, and quicker character and skill progression.
As with many temporary events in Escape from Tarkov, these easier settings will likely disappear with the next big game update. This will happen no later than November 15th, when the long-awaited 1.0 version and Steam release are scheduled to launch.
A Balancing Act
Escape From Tarkov has been in development and constantly updated since its first test version in 2017, and players are now feeling anxious as the full game release gets closer.
Extraction shooter games are often designed to be constantly updated and replayed. Escape from Tarkov, a popular example, regularly resets player progress with each big update. This means everyone starts fresh, creating a burst of excitement in the beginning as players race to get better equipment and complete early objectives. For a couple of weeks, most players are using similar, basic gear while working towards the same goals.
Wipes not only created a fresh start for everyone, but also let the developers test out game adjustments. This meant players could choose which wipes suited their preferences. Now that Escape from Tarkov is nearing its complete release, we’re facing a significant turning point.
Wipes will probably continue to happen in Escape From Tarkov, but big changes to how the game is balanced seem unlikely. The version of the game we’re playing in November will likely be the final one. With such a diverse player base – from cautious scavengers to aggressive PvP players – it’s nearly impossible to satisfy everyone while still keeping the game true to its original design.
If Escape From Tarkov continues to be the leading extraction shooter for another ten years, that would be the longest possible lifespan for the game. But the developers and fans are hoping the full 1.0 release will finally get the game properly balanced and keep it exciting for years to come, because Tarkov truly offers a unique experience.
Escape From Tarkov is currently available to play in early access directly from the BattleState Games website. It will also be released on Steam once the full version (1.0) launches on November 15th.
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2025-10-07 14:09