Battlestate Games has finally officially revealed Escape from Tarkov Arena. It's a smaller-scale standalone shooter with PvE and PvP elements that looks like it'll be largely focused around combat over exploration, and it's entering closed testing this fall.
What do we know about Escape from Tarkov Arena?
Escape from Tarkov regularly gets updates to its gameplay and systems, and when the name "Escape from Tarkov Arena" started floating around, many players assumed it would be an update to the main game. Arena has now been officially revealed by Battlestate, however, and it's not just an update; it's a standalone arena-based shooter with different PvP and PvE game modes. Battlestate describes it as a "session-based" multiplayer shooter that carries over the hardcore mechanics of Escape from Tarkov into an arena-style setting. You can check out the announcement teaser trailer for Escape from Tarkov Arena right here.
In Escape from Tarkov Arena, Battlestate is promising gear and weapon unlocks, as well as ratings and other fun elements. The game will also tie into Escape from Tarkov; if you play the main game, you'll be able to import your character into Arena and play as them there. If you own the Escape from Tarkov Edge of Darkness pack, you'll get access to Arena at no additional cost. The new game will also be available as paid DLC if you own the standard edition of Tarkov, and you'll be able to buy it as a standalone game if you've never played Tarkov before as well.
What is Escape from Tarkov?
If you've never played Escape from Tarkov before, here's a quick primer. It's a hardcore multiplayer shooter with an emphasis on survival and realism. Unlike in many other shooters, you won't find many HUD elements giving you information on your status in Tarkov; you need to check your magazine manually to see how much ammo you have, for example, and you'll need to apply bandages manually if you want to tend to wounds. Escape from Tarkov also has a realistic economy based on the Russian rouble, which caused some trouble back in March after the invasion of Ukraine by Vladimir Putin. This also led to Battlestate needing to reassure players that the game wouldn't be affected by economic sanctions on Russia.
Escape from Tarkov Arena enters closed testing this fall. We don't know much more than that at this stage, so naturally, we'll bring you more on whether you can sign up for that as soon as we hear it. In the meantime, if Arena has you intrigued in the base game, you can buy Escape from Tarkov via the official website. The game is technically still in beta right now, so your purchase is essentially a pre-order, but you'll get access to the game's beta as part of the deal.
