Wednesday, September 25, 2019

Escape from Tarkov -- FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)



U
nofficial

Escape from Tarkov
Frequently Asked Questions




Question List -- Click on a question to go directly to the answer or scroll down.
What is Escape from Tarkov?
Will my PC run the game?
What is a "wipe"?
When or how often does a "wipe" occur?
Is there a way to know in advance when exactly a wipe will take place?
What is a "pre-wipe event"?
How long do "pre-wipe events" last?
Where can I find [insert item name, quest location, etc.]?
Have the developers done any interviews?




What is Escape from Tarkov?
"Escape from Tarkov is a hardcore and realistic online first-person action RPG/Simulator with MMO features and a story-driven walkthrough." -- Official EFT website

Source: https://www.escapefromtarkov.com/#about




Will my PC run the game?
MINIMUM:
  • OS: Windows 7/8/10 (64 Bit)
  • Processor: dual-core processor 2.4 GHz (Intel Core 2 Duo, i3), 2.6 GHz (AMD Athlon, Phenom II)
  • RAM: 6 GB
  • Graphics Card: DX11 compatible graphics card with 1 GB memory
  • Sound: DirectX compatible audio card
  • Network: permanent connection to the Internet
  • Disk space: from 8 GB
RECOMMENDED:
  • OS: Windows 7/8/10 (64 Bit)
  • Processor: quad-core processor 3.2 GHz (Intel i5, i7), от 3.6 GHz (AMD FX, Athlon)
  • RAM: from 8 GB
  • Graphics Card: DX11 compatible graphics card with 2 GB or more of memory
  • Sound: DirectX compatible audio card
  • Network: permanent connection to the Internet
  • Disk space: from 8 GB

Note:
My personal opinion, based on my experience, is that you should treat the official "Recommended" specs as the minimum requirements. EFT is still in development and is not fully optimized for performance!




What is a "wipe"?
A "wipe" is the result of BSG (the game developers) resetting - "wiping" - all of the servers and player accounts and reverting them back to their original, starting, or "fresh" condition. It can be considered a "hard restart" of the game and all player accounts:

  • All players will lose all quest progress
  • All player will lose all items but will be given the "starting items" associated with the version of the game they have purchased (Standard Edition, Edge of Darkness Edition, etc)
  • All players will lose all resources (cash) but will be given the "starting resources" associated with he version of the game they have purchased.
  • All players will lose all Soft Skill progress
  • All players will lose all Weapon Mastery progress
  • All players will lose the name of their PMC and will have to create a new name (it can be the same if the name is still available and not taken by another player)
  • Etc. etc. -- EVERYTHING about the game and player accounts gets reverted to the original, starting or "fresh" state.




When or how often does a "wipe" occur?
Technically, a wipe can occur any time and as often as the developers feel.

Historically, a wipe takes place along with the launch of a new "marjor patch" for the game -- this can be anywhere from a few months to our current record of six+ months.




Is there a way to know in advance when exactly a wipe will take place?
BSG typically makes an announcement that can be found on at least one (but usually all) of the following outlets:

Official Sources:
Official EFT Forums -- https://forum.escapefromtarkov.com/
Official BSG Twitter -- https://twitter.com/bstategames
EFT game launcher -- Main page of the game launcher

Unofficial Sources:
Developer Tracker (aggregator) -- https://developertracker.com/escape-from-tarkov/
/r/escapefromtarkov subreddit -- https://www.reddit.com/r/EscapefromTarkov/
/r/truetarkov subreddit -- https://www.reddit.com/r/truetarkov/

Note:
Sometimes there is very short notice -- the timing of wipe related announcements is completely dictated by BSG.




What is a "pre-wipe event"?
A "pre-wipe event" is a situation where BSG makes changes to the game (usually drastic changes) shortly before they carry out a "wipe". Examples of the types of changes that have been made in the past:

  • 99% cost reduction of gear sold by NPC Traders (basically free gear).
  • Unlocking all gear to all players regardless of their current quest progression
  • Converting all "normal" A.I. hostiles into the extremely powerful "Raider" variant
  • Removing access to all NPC Traders
Sometimes, a single pre-wipe event can undergo multiple changes over its duration and the changes can happen with no warning -- expect the unexpected!
Pre-wipe events serve two main purposes:
  1. Allow player to experience the game in an unusual way
  2. Allow BSG to gather testing data that they couldn't under normal gameplay conditions





How long to "pre-wipe events last"?
There is no set length for pre-wipe events. Sometimes they run for a few days and other times a few weeks.



Where can I find [insert item name, quest location, etc.]?
It is almost a guarantee that the official Escape from Tarkov "wiki" has the information you are looking for related to in-game content -- https://escapefromtarkov.gamepedia.com/Escape_from_Tarkov_Wiki

Feel free to search YouTube as there are many video guides related to EFT.

Note:
Please consider the following words from Nikita, the head developer at BSG:

"Again, to make the point -- we want to create a simulation environment with lots of parameters and lots of stuff to do and the more stuff the better because you will be able to pick something, to know something, and to get an advantage with it. Right now it is kind of ruined by lots of public information on the internet about "how to make the ultimate weapons with no recoil", "what ammunition to use" -- ammo charts and things. It was intended for players to learn all the process down the road of the game. To understand all of this with time but right now you can start playing EFT with guides. items for quests, etc. It is a good thing to have walk throughs and guides. It has enriched the game in terms of popularity and stuff but the idea is to play EFT without any help. Only you and that's it."
Source: Talking Tarkov Episode #3 -- https://youtu.be/Bbs0a96OZ2E?t=5610


I will add this personal note -- you only get to play EFT for the first time once! Yes, there are some quests that are basically impossible to complete without the wiki but there is a certain "magic", an especially satisfying feeling, when you make progress in the game using nothing but your head and a lot of trial and error.




Have the developers done any interviews?

Nikita Buyanov is the head developer for EFT at Battle State Games. He has had several appearances in EFT related interviews, podcasts, and other media. If you want to "get to know" Nikita and his vision for the game, take the time to listen to or watch them all!

Podcasts:

Talking Tarkov #1 -- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=__KGA3YPA7E
Talking Tarkov #2 -- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4m3_c5HO_sE
Talking Tarkov #3 -- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bbs0a96OZ2E
Talking Tarkov #4 -- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jKKTL9H_k68
Talking Tarkov #5 -- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qf89mgG3qjY
Talking Tarkov #6 -- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bhSG-4v9_qE

Presentations:
Self-Publishing a Hardcore Title -- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S8HMmXB-qwk

8 comments:

  1. That's really good guide, im sure who want to understand more about this game will appreciate it. If someone is lazy person I also recommend use websites like this to get some cheap roubles on a good start: https://mmoauctions.com/escape-from-tarkov/roubles

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yeah, good on you for going on a game FAQ and hijacking it by posting a link that not only goes directly against everything the game is about, it also is a good way to get players accounts banned. You sir, are an asshole.
      Thank the lord BSG effectively plugged this type of transactions with the cash-carry limits placed on the game, so they're not really viable anymore.

      Delete
  2. Do you know that you can buy and sell rubles out of the game right now?
    In my opinion your guide is pretty good for beginners, but for more advanced players there are not so many important informations.
    Anyway Great job!

    ReplyDelete
  3. This is a good FAQ. To play ETF I use an Athlom 3000g with 8gb. I don't have a GPU so the game runs with low graphics, but it's playable :).

    The still has problems with the Escape from Tarkov Accounts, but hey, since it's still in beta, what can we expect?

    ReplyDelete
  4. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
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    ReplyDelete

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