Escape from Tarkov has defied expectations since its launch in 2016, with nearly 150,000 players online concurrently. The game’s developers, Scissor Studios, have been actively gathering feedback from the community and implementing changes to improve the overall experience.
In an exclusive interview, game director Nikita Buyanov discussed the game’s plans for the future, including optimization efforts and new events. Buyanov expressed pride in creating a unique subgenre of extraction shooters and emphasized the importance of accessibility worldwide.
The game’s recent launch in Latin America (LATAM) was a significant milestone, with a successful launch and positive reactions from players. The developers plan to expand access regions in the future.
Buyanov also discussed upcoming events, including The Λabyrinth event featuring the Minotaur boss. He emphasized that each event is designed to create new adventures and weave into the game’s lore.
The short-term focus is on optimization, with bug fixes and performance improvements ongoing. Long-term plans include polishing details, removing rough edges, and improving quality of life.
Buyanov acknowledged the challenges of optimizing legacy code but prioritized balancing development of new content and improvement of existing systems. The Sherpa system, which pairs experienced players with newcomers, is a key factor in the game’s onboarding process.
Regarding the flashlight meta, Buyanov addressed concerns and made adjustments to reduce its advantage. He also reflected on what he would change if given the chance at launch, including server infrastructure and anti-cheat integration.
Scissor Studios is considering distribution options post-full release, with Steam a likely candidate. The developers work closely with BattleEye to detect and ban cheaters, using internal tools to track suspicious behavior.
With continued community feedback and optimization efforts, Escape from Tarkov remains a popular choice among players seeking a challenging experience.
Source: https://www.espn.com/gaming/story/_/id/44700185/escape-tarkov-nikita-buyanov-interview