After going on the official Russian Community Podcast, lead developer of Battlestate Games, Nikita Buyanov revealed all the features they have planned for the upcoming update 12.6 for Escape From Tarkov. The update is planned to be released sometime between May and June of 2020. Nikita and BSG also mentioned their plans for future update and laid out a roadmap to development stages. We are here to point out and go over the crucial updates players in the community are looking forward for.
The following list is made on the basis of mentions made by BSG staff members during the May 8th podcast.
Update 12.7
The update 12.7 is set to launch somewhere during July, 2020 but given the reputation of BSG regarding their punctuality on their own timelines, it’s better to expect for some delays. Generally, it is a good tip for newbies to take any timeline prediction the Devs make about updates and add 2-6 months, so it is less likely for them to be disappointed.
Customs changes
‘Customs’ is the second map added the the game which is a large area of industrial park land situated adjacent to the factory. The area houses a custom terminal, fuel storage facilities, offices and dorms as well as a variety of other infrastructure building.
The Devs have planned to open up some buildings and new pathways to connect the old gas station to the construction site. Current generation of the map can easily become one directional as it facilitates more frequent encounters in the middle and the whole thing can easily become a meat grinder. Opening up some new pathways can add a layer of depth to Customs and favour unique encounters.
Dynamic distribution of loot
This feature could be in 12.7 or be delayed for 12.8 in the future. The Devs are looking to distribute loot more evenly throughout the map and add new loot spawns and also rework some old ones. Either way it will be a welcomed change.
Scav boss : Sanitar
A new scavenger boss, called Sanitar will be added in the shoreline area. He is set to appear in 12.7 update.
“His behaviour is going to be ill, to say. He aids people, makes stashes and hide items” ~ Nikita, May 8th podcast.
Further description includes, “Not much of a fighter, who uses stimulants. Also he will have various unique stimulants in his inventory. One of them is ‘Mule’, for carrying weights and another with interesting effects called, ‘Obdolbos'”, posted on Tarkov discord by Silverballer “Erwin”.
Compass
Players are looking forward eagerly for the addition of compass which could be in 12.7 or be postponed for 12.8 update.
Weapons
Escape From Tarkov will see the addition of two new weapons supposedly this July. The additions include :
Kriss Vector (Pestily Steam with Nikita, April 17) and USP – could be added in 12.8 (Tarkov TV podcast, April 26)
Along with the above list a Skill System rework will also occur which was brought up in the recently mentioned events.
Update 12.9
Update 12.9 is planned for September, 2020 but as adviced, players should lookout for delays. Nikita brought up 12.9 in the May 8th podcast. This update will focus on offering customisation options to players for their Chest Rigs and Plate Carriers.
“Also we want to make so that the contents of the pouches would be visible but there are many subtleties”, said Nikita on the same event.
From what we have gained from our sources, 12.9 will be an artistic update but it could include pending features from the previous ones.
Update 13.0
Hitting Tarkov in October, Update 13.0 will bring a new map to the game. The map will be called ‘Streets of Tarkov’ and it will be “so big that you will get lost” as said in the Tarkov TV podcast on April 26, 2020.
Streets of Tarkov will have a whopping number of 40 players on the map featuring high-rise buildings and helicopters, as said by the developers. The map will be big and the update will be heavy.
These were the key updates that you should look forward to but players should know that BSG also plans to add Cultists, UN soldiers, new items, Automatically Regulated Economy, Karma system and much more to the game in the future. So far details about these new features is kept hidden but with time we’ll be covering them too.
