Developed by Battlestate Games, Escape From Tarkov is a first-person tactical shooter. The game is set in a war-torn environment in the fictional Norvinsk region in Northwestern Russia. It is a great competitive shooter for people who enjoy Battle Royale games.
However, the challenging gameplay of Tarkov has forced many beginner players to drop the game in search of a similar game with relatively low difficulty. This has urged AAA Game development companies to invest heavily in Escape From Tarkov game development to create a game like Tarkov that caters to beginners as well as seasoned players.
In this blog, we will explore how you can develop a game like Tarkov and explore the features and costs of Tarkov Game Development.
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The features of a game like Tarkov are crucial to drive engagement and revenue. Here are the key features of Escape from Tarkov that contribute to its popularity.
Escape from Tarkov challenges players to survive in the hostile, war-torn city of Tarkov. Players must manage health, ammo, and equipment while navigating dangerous environments filled with both AI and player-controlled enemies. The game’s complex injury system requires players to treat wounds and recover from injuries, making survival an intricate and rewarding challenge.
The trademark of Escape from Tarkov is its essential detail in forearms and combat mechanics. Each weapon, from pistols to assault rifles, behaves realistically, with customizable parts affecting handling, accuracy, and recoil. The detailed ballistics and armor systems add depth, requiring players to strategize their engagement.
Set in the fictional Russian city of Tarkov, the game features expansive maps that allow for PvP and PvE encounters. Locations like abandoned warehouses, forests, and military bases offer a variety of tactical gameplay opportunities, making each raid feel unique.
Players enter raids to complete objectives such as looting, defeating enemies, or extracting items. The high-stakes gameplay is intensified by the extraction system. Players must find specific points to escape the map with the risk of losing all collected loot if they die before extracting.
Escape from Tarkov is primarily a multiplayer tactical shooter where players can team up with friends to increase their chances of survival. Tactical coordination and communication are key to surviving in the harsh landscape of Tarkov.
The game features detailed character progression, where players build skills like endurance, strength, and marksmanship through experience. A robust inventory and trading system allow players to buy, sell, and barter for gear, adding an RPG-like depth to the gameplay.
Tarkov is a complex shooter that requires strategy and survival instincts to master. Here is the basic gameplay:
Players start by selecting their characters and equipping them with the necessary gear. Objectives vary from looting to defeating enemies or completing intel-gathering missions.
Players explore maps like Escape from Tarkov Customs to gather weapons, medical supplies, and other valuable resources. Enemies include both AI-controlled Scavs and player-controlled opponents.
To secure their loot, players must locate and use extraction points scattered across the map. Failing to extract before dying results in the permanent loss of all items collected during the raid.
Players can opt for aggressive combat strategies or use stealth to avoid detection. The game’s AI and player-controlled enemies make every encounter feel stressful and unpredictable.
Now, let’s dive into the development process and understand how you can create a game like Escape from Tarkov from scratch.
Escape from Tarkov’s appeal lies in its blend of hardcore survival mechanics and tactical shooting games. The developers aimed to create an immersive, high-stakes experience with deep, player-progression systems. For aspiring developers, a clear concept and vision are essential for creating a similarly engaging Battle Royale game.
You can take inspiration from games like PUBG, Apex Legends, and Rainbow Six Seige to get a better idea of how a Battle Royale tactical shooter should look and feel.
Using Unity as its engine, Tarkov achieves photorealistic graphics and atmospheric environments. The game’s detailed maps showcase realistic lighting, weather effects, and immersive world-building. For developers targeting the USA audience, creating diverse and recognizable environments can enhance player engagement.
Realistic combat, ballistics, and health systems are key to Escape from Tarkov’s appeal. Developers should focus on implementing intricate mechanics for injuries, stamina, and weapon handling. Looting and extraction systems must be balanced to maintain the game’s signature tension.
Smooth server performance is critical for a game like Escape from Tarkov. Developers should prioritize stable multiplayer infrastructure to ensure seamless gameplay. Testing is crucial to balance PvP and PvE difficulty and minimize latency issues.
Tarkov’s developers leveraged Early Access releases to refine the game. They collected real-world feedback from a select group of players and tweaked the game accordingly. Regular updates and community engagement are essential for addressing player concerns and maintaining interest. Features like Escape from Tarkov mods and new maps can enhance replayability.
Continual updates, like adding Escape from Tarkov new game modes or features, keep players engaged. Developers should regularly expand on the narrative and world-building, introducing fresh content and refining existing game mechanics.
Here is the most common tech stack to develop a game like Escape from Tarkov.
Selecting the right game engine is crucial for creating a game like Escape from Tarkov. Popular choices include:
A stable server infrastructure is essential for handling multiplayer interactions and high-octane combat scenarios.
Investing in high-quality assets for characters, weapons, and environments is critical for an immersive experience. Detailed textures and realistic animations can enhance the overall gameplay experience.
By now, you must have understood how to develop a game like Escape from Tarkov. Let’s discuss the various factors why Tarkov is so relevant even after so many years of launch.
High Stakes Gameplay: Escape from Tarkov’s risk vs reward keeps players on edge. The fear of losing loot upon death adds tension and excitement to every raid.
Realism and Immersion: The game’s focus on realistic mechanics, such as detailed weapon customization and health management, appeals to players seeking an authentic experience. The immersive environments and intricate systems make it stand out from other shooting games.
Challenge and Difficulty: Escape from Tarkov’s steep learning curve and unforgiving mechanics attract hardcore gamers. Mastering the game requires patience and skill, offering a deeply rewarding experience.
Engaging Multiplayer: The combination of PvP and PvE encounters ensures unpredictable gameplay. Multiplayer dynamics, including co-op play, add variety and excitement to every match.
Strong Community: Escape from Tarkov has fostered a loyal player base. Players can share tips and interact with other like-minded people, contributing to the game’s ongoing popularity.
Developing a tactical shooter with survival elements requires significant investment. For a game like Tarkov, the development costs can range anywhere from $1 million to $5 million. However, various factors influence the cost of development. These include:
Game Complexity: Realistic mechanics and detailed systems increased development expenses
Multiplayer Features: Integrating matchmaking and server infrastructure requires additional investment.
Graphics and Environment Design: High-quality assets and realistic environments contribute to the overall cost.
Post-launch Support: Ongoing updates, including Escape from Tarkov mods and new content, require continuous funding.
BR Softech is a prominent video game development company with expertise in creating hardcore FPS and survival games. Our services include:
Developing a game like Escape from Tarkov requires a deep understanding of survival mechanics, tactical shooting games, and player-driven progression. By focusing on realism, engaging multiplayer dynamics, and immersive environments, developers can craft a compelling experience for the USA audience. Whether you are developing Escape from Tarkov-like games for Android or expanding into PC and console platforms, the key lies in blending innovation with proven gameplay elements.
Ans. On average, it costs around $1 million to $5 million, depending on the complexity of the game. Various factors influence the overall cost of developing the game including platform compatibility, complexity of the game, feature integration, and more.
Ans. A game like Escape from Tarkov can take advantage of various monetization strategies including in-app purchases, season passes, DLCs, expansion packs, E-sports tournaments, and advertising partnerships.
Ans. Each development team prefers using their own technologies. However, the most commonly used tech stack is Unity as the game engine, C++ for programming and coding, Blender or Maya for 3D Modeling software, Spine for animation, MySQL and MongoDB for database management, and AWS or Azure for cloud services.
