Escape from Tarkov has exploded in popularity recently. The tactical online shooter from Russian studio Battlestate Games drops players into the war-ravaged Norvinsk region as Scavs or PMC operatives fighting to survive and escape the city of Tarkov. It’s tense, realistic, and incredibly punishing.
As a hardcore Tarkov player with hundreds of hours invested, I’ve experienced the highs and lows of raids first-hand. I’ve also watched the game evolve from a niche project into a mainstream gaming phenomenon.
With this growing popularity also comes growing pains – namely controversy surrounding RMT (real money trading). Players exchanging Tarkov items and currency for real cash damages the game‘s integrity according to Battlestate.
In this comprehensive guide, I’ll use my experiences and expertise to break down what Tarkov RMT is, Battlestate’s war against it, the game’s systems and future, and ultimately help you understand if it’s worth becoming a part of this brutal and unforgiving world.
What is Tarkov RMT?
RMT stands for “real money trading” and refers to players conducting transactions outside of Tarkov to exchange in-game items, currency, or services for real cash.
For example, Tarkov’s primary currency is Roubles. A player might sell 1 million Roubles for $5 to a buyer via third-party sites facilitating these trades. High-value items like colored keycards often go for over $100!
Services also exist where players can pay more skilled ones to boost their character by running raids together and gifting loot. Essentially, RMT allows converting Tarkov progress into real world money.
Why Battlestate Sees RMT as Cheating
Battlestate Games has repeatedly condemned RMT as cheating that compromises the online economy and experience. RMT encourages hackers and bots that undermine fair play.
Most online games prohibit trading in-game assets for real cash. RMT essentially allows “pay-to-win” circumventing the intended progression systems. When rare items can be purchased with real money, it removes the satisfaction of earning rewards through skill.
For these reasons, Battlestate bans thousands engaging in RMT. And they don’t hold back – bans often include hardware IDs preventing creating new accounts. They see eliminating RMT as essential to Tarkov’s integrity.
Battlestate’s No Tolerance Stance Against RMT
Battlestate pulls no punches when it comes to rooting out RMT activities and handing severe punishments. For example:
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In January 2022, Battlestate reportedly banned over 6,000 accounts related to RMT services.
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They exposed the account names publicly, calling them cheaters and warning they’d continue banning at scale.
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First offenses result in account suspensions. But repeated violations lead to permanent bans, often including hardware IDs.
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Banned players cannot appeal or undo the bans before timers expire. Attempting to circumvent bans by creating new accounts also leads to fast detection.
Battlestate seems committed to stomping out RMT through extensive bans. Some criticize their methods as draconian. But it’s hard to argue with the results.
Editions and Regional Pricing
There are four available editions of Escape from Tarkov, ranging from $44.99 for the base version up to $139.99 for the “Edge of Darkness” limited edition. Higher tiers include bonus starting equipment, trader reputation, and bigger secure containers.
All editions grant full access to the current beta test. However, Battlestate region locks purchases. You can only play Tarkov in the region where you bought the game.
This region locking aims to prevent players bypassing pricing with cheaper accounts from other areas. It also lets Battlestate set appropriate prices accounting for economic factors in each region.
Battlestate may increase prices post-launch as the game leaves beta testing. For now, expect to pay between $45-$140 depending on desired starting boosts and your region.
Banning Cheaters and Hackers
Battlestate aggressively bans any cheaters or hackers detected using prohibited software like aimbots, ESPs, speedhacks etc. This software allows unfair advantages and damages legitimacy.
violating the license agreement triggers an automatic ban after detection, with no need for player reports. Offenses escalate from 7-day suspensions to permanent bans.
Battlestate publishes frequent ban waves numbering in the thousands, showing their strict policy in action. Banned accounts cannot be recovered or unbanned before timer expiration.
Their methods are viewed as draconian by some. But prioritizing fair play and deterring cheating aligns with Tarkov’s cutthroat nature. For Battlestate, banning cheaters is vital for the game‘s integrity.
How Tarkov‘s Wipe System Works
Since the game remains in open beta, Battlestate periodically wipes all Tarkov player data including:
- Character level
- Trader reputations
- Hideout upgrades
- Inventory and assets
- Quest progress
- All skills
This resets the economy, placing everyone on even footing. Wipes give Battlestate an opportunity to test new systems and balance progression. They typically happen every 4-6 months.
Many speculate wipes will cease once the game fully launches. However, they currently provide a fresh start and allow implementing new features. Given Tarkov remains in beta, expect wipes to continue for the foreseeable future.
Losing Everything in Raid Keeps You Grounded
Central to Tarkov is taking your operator into raids with gear you’ve collected. These tense raids play out across sprawling maps with objectives like looting, questing, PvP combat, and ultimately extraction.
However, when you die in a raid, either to AI Scavs or fellow PMC operators, your character permanently loses everything equipped except for what’s in their secure container.
This creates tremendous tension and makes every loss feel impactful. Having to start over and rebuild your kit from scratch keeps you grounded. It also makes incremental upgrades more satisfying when the stakes are so high.
The secure container offers some protection – a handful of slots for precious keys or items you want to keep on death. This brilliant risk vs. reward system sits at the core of what makes Tarkov so punishing yet rewarding.
Buy Once with No Microtransactions – A Dying Model
Unlike many online shooters these days, Tarkov uses a straightforward buy-to-play model with no microtransactions, season passes, or premium currency. You pay once to unlock the game and receive all current and future content.
Given the prevalence of “games as a service” and free-to-play models reliant on continuous spending, Tarkov‘s approach feels almost quaint by comparison. However, it may not be financially sustainable long-term.
While perhaps underestimated, the revenue from one-time purchases must fund ongoing development, server costs, etc. I expect larger paid expansions down the road to monetize new content and keep revenue flowing.
Still, Battlestate seems committed to avoiding “pay-to-win” microtransactions for now. Their focus stays on the purity of the gameplay experience rather than maximizing monetization.
Tarkov‘s Learning Curve Tests Your Will
The complexity of Tarkov’s mechanics, like advanced ammo types and armor pen values or intricate health systems, create one of the steepest learning curves in gaming. Early hours feel like a brutal trial by fire.
New players face severe knowledge gaps around extraction points, loot valuations, quest locations, combat nuances, and more. Couple this with losing all your gear on death, and raids become exercises in frustration.
However, embracing the hardship and committing to learning from failure is key to mastering Tarkov. Your persistence will be tested – but with time, the systems click and you learn to flow with Tarkov’s unforgiving nature rather than resist it.
The high barrier to entry makes success extraordinarily rewarding. Tarkov offers some of the most pulse-pounding and adrenaline-filled moments available in gaming. The challenge brings purpose.
Battlestate – The Studio Behind Tarkov
Battlestate Games is the Russian studio behind Escape from Tarkov, founded in 2012 by Alexander Bloch and Maxim Zasov. Their earlier project Contract Wars funded Tarkov’s development.
Bloch serves as CEO and Zasov as CTO. But creative lead Nikita Buyanov, who joined in 2013, is the public face behind most Tarkov updates and announcements. The team has slowly expanded over the last decade.
Based in Moscow, Battlestate Games now employs around 100 staff across multiple disciplines like programming, art, design, production, and more. While still relatively small, continued Tarkov profits should allow further growth.
The Case for a Steam Release
Currently, the only way to buy Tarkov is directly through Battlestate’s site. However, expanding availability to wider platforms like Steam could benefit the game substantially.
Releasing on Steam would introduce Tarkov to millions of new potential players unfamiliar with the obscure Russian project. This could significantly boost sales and player activity.
However, the downsides also need consideration. More players could overwhelm Battlestate’s infrastructure and servers. There are also risks associated with allowing reviews and criticism on platforms like Steam.
While positives likely outweigh the negatives, I’d understand Battlestate’s hesitancy jumping into the bigger pond that is Steam. Either way, Tarkov deserves more recognition that a wider release would provide.
What Does Tarkov‘s Future Hold?
Despite the game still being in beta, Tarkov already provides endless tense gameplay and progression. However, Battlestate has even bigger plans ahead:
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Arena mode – dedicated PvP battles without looting or extraction, think "round-based arena"
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Free Roam – exploring Tarkov without the pressure of extracting or losing gear
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Story Quests – PvE missions and locations furthering an interconnected plot
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Weapon Malfunctions – misfires, jamming, and durability tied to weapon state
Add these to planned additions like the Lighthouse expansion, new bosses, and the long-awaited Streets of Tarkov map, and the future looks bright.
Once feature-complete, Battlestate will also cease wiping player progression between updates. Your operatives will persist between content drops. And if rumors hold true, Tarkov may ultimately transition into an open world instead of disconnected raids.
Final Thoughts – Tarkov is Worth Embracing
Despite frustration during initial hours, those willing to push through the early hardship uncover one of gaming’s most detailed simulations. Behind the brutality lies a tremendously sophisticated world, mechanics, and systems begging for mastery.
Each successful extraction with fat sacks of loot becomes a hard-fought trophy. The stakes make every win more rewarding. And learning the finer nuances offers endless depth for dedicated players.
So while RMT cheating might chip away at Tarkov’s integrity, Battlestate’s uncompromising vision persists thanks to a niche yet passionate community who adore the unfiltered experience it offers. There simply is nothing else quite like Escape from Tarkov.
For those seeking the ultimate high-stakes tactical shooter, look no further. I hope this guide has offered helpful insights into what makes Tarkov so special. It won’t hold your hand, but persevering through the struggle delivers a satisfaction few games can match. Gear up, stay sharp, and see you in Tarkov!
