Late last year, Battlestate Games announced that they were going to release a PC exclusive: Escape from Tarkov, which has been described as a hardcore and realistic online first-person RPG with MMO features and an immense array of weapons mods. The game is set in a fictional Russian city that has been isolated by the UN and Russian military forces. There’s a violent conflict brewing and players must decide between two private military factions – which then act as the game’s MMO’s factions. The game’s trailer, posted by Battlestate, showcases intense team-based gunfights.
According to VG247, Battlestate has detailed how they’ll be rolling out Escape from Tarkov’s alpha testing. Access to the testing will be granted for those who pre-ordered the game, and only then on a first come first serve basis. Then they hope to allow more players to participate day after day, with the ultimate goal of letting all eligible players test the game within a two week period. But for those who bought the standard edition, they’re out of luck because the alpha testing will be available to players owning a copy of all editions except the standard edition. As for those who bought the fully-alpha-guaranteed-access edition, Edge of Darkness, they will be able to be the first to test the game. Owners of the Prepare for Escape edition are next with a 50 percent chance of being picked, and Left Behind edition owners are given a 25 percent chance of getting selected.
Battlestate wants to focus on testing the core of the game so bonus and pre-order items will not be available, and the developers have reminded gamers to expect server downtime and for regular profiles to reset – any bugs and glitches they’ll hope to fix as they come up. They’re taking a cautious approach to the alpha testing stating on PCGamer that
Alpha testing should not only polish the project and add content, but thoroughly balance and flesh out the details of game mechanics. This is why we have formed a perfectly clear vision of what alpha testing should include – the version of the game where we could solve all of these tasks together!
However, the buying/selling system will be available for players to try out. An in-game trader will be open for players to barter goods. One of the most interesting features the game includes is the dynamic economy; there is several different currencies, all of which have fluctuating exchange rates. According to Gamespot, these AI traders will be available when a players discovers new locations, and each trader offers different goods and services, which differing schedules and they will adjust their prices with the changing game economy. Players can also influence trader’s prices by their interactions with them. Once your loyalty with an AI trader reaches a certain level, you’ll be able to open your own shop, which of course you’ll have to micro manage.
Escape from Tarkov will begin its alpha testing tomorrow, August 4th, and if you’ve already have bought one of the editions that will make you eligible to participate in their testing, you’re in luck to try out a hell of an action packed Russian MMO/RPG.