The recently released veteran, Escape from Tarkov, has established itself in gamers' minds as one of the toughest and most relentless games on the market. It can erase dozens of hours of progress in seconds, yet this is precisely why fans appreciate it. Developers from Battlestate Games affirm: the game was never intended as entertainment in the usual sense.
In an interview with Insider Gaming, the studio head Nikita Buyanov stated that the team originally had a different goal — to evoke strong emotions. According to him, “Tarkov” is designed for players who value intellectual tension, high risk, and constant pressure. It’s a project about stress, fear, and excitement, not comfortable leisure.
Escape from Tarkov throws players into an environment where a single bullet can end a raid and strip them of all their gear. Each map entry is a gamble, where you can either hit the jackpot or walk away with nothing. This approach, according to Buyanov, creates the main feeling — satisfaction that comes only after overcoming challenges.
Tarkov was created for satisfaction, not for fun. Not for enjoyment.
It offers a chance to either experience satisfaction or face disappointment. That's the intention. It’s a polar experience: you either get everything or you get nothing.
Nikita Buyanov
Read also
November 15 ⋅ Escape From Tarkov finally reached release — seems everything is bad