Escape from Tarkov has become a real phenomenon on Twitch. Streamers like DrDisrespect and xQc now explain what makes the game so much fun for them and what draws them to Escape from Tarkov.
What is “Gear Fear”? In Escape from Tarkov, you start each round with a setup of equipment that you assemble from your stash. You then roam around and collect additional supplies.
The catch is that you lose everything when you die – including the items you took with you. This creates a constant “fear” for your gear: the “Gear Fear.”
Since others, especially ruthless players, want to profit from your collected items, this further adds to the ever-present danger. Some players even camp at the exit of the map, which is especially underhanded.
The Doc loves this fear
This is what DrDisrespect says: The streamer DrDisrespect is blown away by Escape from Tarkov. Over the past week, he has almost exclusively played the hardcore shooter from Battlestar Games – a total of over 28 hours (via sullygnome, as of January 8).
While examining one of his new weapons and thinking about how he can customize it with the detailed modification system, he praises the game: “The game is pretty intense, I have to give it to the people.”
For him, however, it is also important to consider the “Gear Fear.” A user asked him how he deals with the fact that other players can take his equipment from him.
His answer: Build a stockpile and “insure” equipment. Insured items are refunded if they are not taken out of the raid. However, this costs money (rubles in-game).
I think if you come into a good economic situation, if you can insure every single piece and if you can do that constantly, you can still use everything even if you die. That has really helped my peace of mind, but you first have to have the money.
So far, the Doc has really enjoyed Escape from Tarkov, but has previously cursed his beloved games at some point. Perhaps it will turn out like with Apex Legends and he simply cannot stop.
For xQc, it’s “like playing Casino”
This is what xQc says: Streamer and former Overwatch pro Félix “xQc” Lengyel has also been playing EFT more frequently lately. For him, this risk of losing his equipment brings a completely different thrill.
I feel like a real gambler. This game is literally gambling. I felt exactly that way when I once went to the casino. That’s exactly how I feel when I play this game – all the time.
After Twitch stars shroud and Ninja switched to Mixer, xQc has made a steep climb to the top of Twitch: xQc was number 1 among the most-watched streamers in December 2019 and even now, in 2020, only the “Awesome Games Done Quick” and the Twitch streamer Pestily stand before him, who of course plays Escape from Tarkov.
