Nikita Pledges Allegiance to 'Escape from Tarkov Arena' and Further EFT Collaborations
Nikita Buyanov has declared his commitment to upholding the support for Escape From Tarkov Arena indefinitely, and announced the impending arrival of more integration points between it and the primary Escape From Tarkov title. This development comes in conjunction with a complimentary weekend event for Arena.
Escape From Tarkov Arena has been operational for almost a year now, and despite a series of enhancements aiming to rectify its initial flaws, it has so far failed to achieve the anticipated heights. Whilst concrete player numbers are unavailable for any of the Escape From Tarkov installments, interests in community forums suggest that the player base for Arena is significantly smaller in comparison to the main game, with critical reception suggesting it fell short of expectations.
Regardless of its current standing, Nikita Buyanov, the game director and head of Battlestate Games, has voiced his team's intent to continue supporting Escape From Tarkov Arena, with plans to expand the connections shared with the principal game to attract more people.
"Arena is an integral component of EFT; EFT could exist without Arena, but Arena cannot exist without EFT," explained Buyanov. "Therefore, to answer your query, Arena will always be maintained. Additionally, we intend to introduce numerous new connections between these projects, although I shall reserve the details for a later date."
Despite the current situation, Buyanov acknowledged that Arena has yet to touch its ceiling, indicating that there still exists potential for further expansion. Whilst the game has merit, there's a feeling that much of its potential remains unexplored.
"We regard Arena as part of the EFT universe; if you aspire to enhance your PvP abilities, then Arena is for you; if you enjoy Tarkov's shooting mechanics but dislike extraction, then Arena is the best option," said Buyanov. "From that perspective, I believe Arena has performed well. I am content with how it has been incorporated into EFT. Nonetheless, it has not touched its ceiling, and I see immense potential for its growth."
Despite pressure from the community to transition Arena into a free-to-play game, this is a notion that Buyanov has yet to entertain.
"At present, we are not considering this option," Buyanov commented when inquired about making Arena freely accessible. "However, we frequently hold free weekends for Arena, during which players can delve into the game and decide if they admire the concept."
This very free weekend event is currently underway, granting players free and unencumbered access to Escape From Tarkov Arena until 9:00 GMT/ 4:00 EST on December 23. All aspects of the game are open to exploration, and attendees have an opportunity to earn a commemorative item that can be utilized across both the principal Escape From Tarkov game and Arena. Moreover, omnipresent Twitch Drops will provide additional incentives for those that engage in Tarkov activity throughout the weekend – you can register and participate in Arena on the official website.
The upcoming free weekend for 'Escape From Tarkov Arena' is a testament to Nikita Buyanov's commitment, providing players with a chance to explore the game for free until December 23. Buyanov has highlighted the potential in 'Escape From Tarkov Arena', stating that it serves as an integral component of the main game and has the capacity for significant growth.
