Battlestate Games Archives

AppWizard

April 23, 2026

Escape From Tarkov Arena is free-to-play this weekend, just in time for its new season

Season 2 of Escape From Tarkov Arena has launched, introducing a new battle pass, fresh weaponry, and a comprehensive rebalancing of game elements. Players can test these features for free during a weekend event from April 24 to April 27, 2026. The game has transitioned to the Unity 6 engine for improved performance and will feature a new map called 'Factory.' A 30% discount on the full game will be available until May 3, along with a 25% discount on the Arena + Full Tactical Maps Bundle.

AppWizard

April 21, 2026

Ex-Escape From Tarkov devs will “ride the wave” of AI, but stress “the finishing touch must always come from a human hand”

Nomion Games was founded by Dmitri Ogorodnikov and German Terekhov, former contributors to Battlestate Games. They believe that "creative potential, accumulated experience, and ambition should not be put on hold." Their upcoming title, Rush is Real, will incorporate AI as a crucial tool in game development. Ogorodnikov views AI as essential, comparing it to a sculptor's chisel, and emphasizes its role in speeding up the ideation process. He acknowledges AI's ability to alleviate tedious tasks in game development but insists that final decisions must come from humans. He warns against over-reliance on AI, particularly in critical areas like level design and gameplay mechanics, to avoid losing creativity and identity. The gaming community has raised concerns about AI-generated content, and Ogorodnikov recognizes the need for vigilance in maintaining unique artistic vision while using AI to enhance efficiency.

AppWizard

April 11, 2026

Former Escape From Tarkov dev says “no amount of millions of dollars can save a weak product”

The shooter game market is currently saturated with both successful and unsuccessful multiplayer titles, making it challenging for developers to stand out. Dmitri Ogorodnikov, co-head of Nomion Games, emphasizes the importance of recognizing the complexities of creating a successful shooter. He points to the failures of games like Concord and Highguard, which struggled due to lackluster character design and muddled identities. Ogorodnikov believes that many big studios lose the essence of their games by relying too heavily on marketing and formulas. In contrast, Nomion aims to focus on quality gameplay and a clear vision for their upcoming title, Rush is Real, which is still in the prototyping phase. He asserts that the game will not be just another generic shooter and will prioritize unique ideas and quality over following market trends.

AppWizard

January 19, 2026

It’s looking likely Escape From Tarkov lead’s mysterious sci-fi project is a space FPS, and a reveal could be very soon

Escape From Tarkov has launched its full 1.0 version, while director Nikita Buyanov is developing a new project called Cor3, which has been teased through a dedicated website. The project is speculated to be a new space sci-fi FPS game, with recent insights revealing screenshots of space debris and a planet with fires, alongside missile schematics and gameplay elements reminiscent of Escape From Tarkov. An "intel report" mentions a stable location labeled B4, and a countdown timer on a separate website is set to end on February 1, coinciding with an expected official announcement about Cor3. The project may involve various gameplay dynamics, including extraction shooter elements, narrative exploration, and potential cryptocurrency aspects, although the exact nature remains unclear.

AppWizard

January 6, 2026

Escape from Tarkov changes its ending after requests to make it easier, but does the exact opposite

Escape From Tarkov 1.0 was launched late last year, introducing multiple endings and allowing players to escape the city of Tarkov after completing missions. The Terminal mission can be played solo or with a squad of up to five players, but only one to three players can extract at the end due to limited seating on the extraction boat. Streamer Velion requested that all squad members be allowed to extract simultaneously, and Battlestate's chief, Nikita Buyanov, initially indicated that this change had been made. However, streamer Pestily noted that the situation had not improved, as only one player could extract even with a full squad. This has led to confusion and frustration among players regarding the developers' communication and adjustments.

AppWizard

December 2, 2025

Escape From Tarkov player makes world-first escape from Tarkov

Tigz became the first player to successfully escape from Escape From Tarkov following its full release, a milestone confirmed by developer Battlestate Games on December 1, just over two weeks after the game’s launch. The recent major update introduced a non-linear story campaign and end-game content, contributing to a 90% review score. Tigz achieved his escape in two weeks after eight years of experience with the game, and while the details of his escape are not disclosed, it is noted to have a somber tone. Jake Tucker from PC Gamer commented on the new and exciting content in Tigz's video.

AppWizard

November 30, 2025

A limited-time Escape From Tarkov code lets you add its controversial director to your game

Nikita Buyanov, the game director of Escape From Tarkov, has made his voice pack available again through a promotional code after it was initially offered as a free Twitch drop. The voice pack includes custom-recorded lines for the USEC faction in English and the BEAR faction in Russian. Players can unlock the voice pack using the promo code WILWILBE, which is valid for three days and expires on December 3. The Twitch drops campaign has been extended from November 29 to December 20, allowing players to earn exclusive rewards by subscribing to streamers. Rewards include a Hideout customization set, a Twitch logo PMC dogtag, and various items such as a tactical sword and a secure container. Battlestate Games confirmed that no changes have been made to the original rewards.

AppWizard

November 27, 2025

Escape from Tarkov review

Escape from Tarkov is a hardcore shooter with heavy simulation elements, requiring significant effort to excel. It is developed and published by Battlestate Games, costs £44, and is available on Windows 11. The game features multiplayer but is unsupported on Steam Deck. In the game, players experience a realistic environment where survival depends on tactical skills and luck, with death being a constant threat.

AppWizard

November 25, 2025

Escape from Tarkov director says the launch week’s wobbles were ‘actual stress testing not only of our servers but also our mind and nerves’

On November 15, Escape From Tarkov launched on Steam after an eight-year beta phase, leading to login issues due to high demand. Developer Battlestate Games acknowledged player frustration and faced review bombing. Nikita Buyanov, COO of Battlestate, commented on the stressful week but noted player enjoyment. Despite initial challenges, the community remains enthusiastic, sharing experiences on social media with playful tags. The focus is now on stabilizing the server experience for players.

AppWizard

November 24, 2025

Escape from Tarkov director says the launch week’s wobbles were ‘actual stress testing not only of our servers but also our mind and nerves’

On November 15, Escape From Tarkov launched on Steam after an eight-year beta phase. The launch faced login issues due to high demand, leading to server difficulties acknowledged by developer Battlestate Games. This resulted in review bombing from frustrated players. Nikita Buyanov, the director and COO of Battlestate, commented on the situation, expressing gratitude for player enjoyment despite the challenges. The game's intense gameplay and immersive environments continue to attract players, highlighting its enduring appeal.