In Escape from Tarkov, a large part of the progress comes from the inventory and the player’s balance. The game requires planned and regular wipes to stay exciting, at least according to our author Maik.
If you have ever run a raid in Escape from Tarkov, you know how nasty the hardcore shooter can be. The first round usually ends with a short scream, followed by the menu music and confusion about where the shots came from.
What makes Tarkov so special? Once the initial bravado wears off, the “gear fear” sets in, meaning the legitimate fear for your stuff. Because in every round you start a raid with your PMC, you can lose all your gear.
This feeling creates the tension and thrill. Knowing that you’re just seconds away from a lethal shot, but never exactly knowing what will actually happen next.
Gameplay fades – Regular wipes could solve the problem
This is the problem: When the gear fear subsides, the fun of the game also fades away. If you can equip a whole company with your weapons and your rubles are enough for a spacious 5-room apartment in the heart of Moscow, then the hardcore shooter loses its appeal.
I believe that EFT definitely needs a regular and well-planned gear reset.
Since the launch over 3 years ago, there have been wipes after updates from time to time, but the regularity is lacking. Recently, the next reset was announced in the official EFT forum, but that is still several months away, possibly even until summer.
With routine resets, the developers could kill multiple birds with one stone.
How would the shooter benefit from planned resets? There are even several aspects that support regular wipes.
- Veterans feel the gear fear again
- Overall level of gear decreases, better for newcomers
- Players selling in-game items for real money would be curbed
- Regular pre-wipe events could bring back lapsed players
Gear fear returns
This is the situation: Players who have been around for a long time have their inventory filled with bags, boxes, and other containers. All filled with ammunition, meds, weapons, and anything else needed to deal with their aggressive teammates.
Eventually, the point comes where the fear for your stuff subsides. When it no longer hurts to repurchase your favorite loadout at the flea market or with the traders, the thrill is lost.
How could veterans benefit from planned wipes? The planned resets could be summarized in a roadmap with events or new content, and hardcore players would know exactly what to expect during the “season”.
With each reset, the gear fear would also return, possibly even worse than before. Cosmetic rewards at the end of a “season” could be possible, like masks or weapon skins. And who doesn’t want to lose the fancy scarf they worked so hard for?
Level of equipment decreases
This is the situation: The longer it has been since the last reset, the better equipped players generally are. For all who work with insurances, this sounds pretty good. This way, the chance of your stuff remaining and coming back is higher.
But for new players trying to drag their looted Scav vest with 3 bandages and 12 rounds of ammunition towards the exit, fully-equipped players are death, at least in-game.
How would players benefit from the lower equipment level? The hunt begins anew and everyone is back on a similar level. This would make it significantly easier for new players to hold their own against other raiders.
For veterans, looting would then make sense again, as every weapon could improve their gear, and there would again be too few rubles lying around in their inventory.
The player base would continually draw closer together in their progression, and the difference between beginner and veteran wouldn’t be as stark as after half a year without a reset.
Selling in-game items gets hindered
This is the situation: Handing over or trading items is not a problem in Escape from Tarkov, but safely extracting them is. However, this does not stop players from buying rubles for real money on eBay or less reputable platforms.
Selling in-game items for real money is banned in many games, including EFT. However, there are many offers where you can buy rubles, keys, or even the red keycard.
Why could EFT become fairer through resets? Survivors will think twice about whether they really want to spend real money on items and thus gain an unfair advantage.
Because when you know that a wipe is imminent and when, these items really only have value for that time. After that, the overpriced €50 keycard is gone again.
Events before the reset
This is the situation: There have been pre-wipe events in the past where, for example, prices at the traders were reduced or special enemies roamed the maps.
Shortly before a reset, players will approach the game with a different mentality and are likely to take a bit more risk. In such phases, survivors are often willing to try something new.
How could Tarkov benefit from events? Regular pre-wipe events could lure back more lapsed players, as relaxed or altered gameplay elements or special rewards await.
If there are rewards, they could be carried over into the next “season”. This would also enhance the gear fear again.
Wipes should become an important part of Tarkov
It’s always difficult to give up something you’ve learned to appreciate. Especially when it comes to millions of rubles in Escape from Tarkov. Having a lot can also be really nice, but if the game loses its thrill and I don’t touch it anymore, I’ve still lost.
I think EFT urgently needs well-communicated, regular gear resets to stay exciting. This way, players can adjust to the length of the “season” and know what to expect.
As the game is still in closed beta and an end to this phase is not in sight, we will see how Tarkov will ultimately handle wipes. In the meantime, I’ll keep saving for my apartment in Moscow.
Do you think regular wipes would be beneficial for the game? Or can you think of another way to bring back the thrill even with a full account?
