by theygamesEscape from Tarkov’s latest update, Patch 0.16.0, is here, and it offers higher-end PvP players a compelling reason to get back into the game. The new Prestige system gives pro players somewhere to go, instead of just reaching the top and twiddling their thumbs. And if you’ve been rolling your eyes at Escape from Tarkov’s bots, they’ve been given a welcome boost in intelligence.
It may still be in beta, but Escape from Tarkov has taken FPS game fans by storm. This online extraction shooter is the most viewed game on Twitch, and it’s in developer Battlestate Games’ best interest to keep things fresh. They’ve stepped up with a new update which should incentivize players to stick around.
The most prominent addition to Escape from Tarkov is the Prestige system. Players who’d battled their way to the top in PvP mode previously had nowhere else to go. They could start again from scratch, but that’d mean ditching all that progress. The Prestige system, currently only available in PvP, offers a compromise.
Now, players who hit level 55 (and meet certain other criteria) will receive rewards which will stick with them through the next iteration of the character. If you’re amongst their number, you can retain a small portion of your equipment, earn hideout rewards, a special badge and much more.
Most of these rewards are cosmetic, but it’s a way of showing off all your hard work, of advertising that you’re a pro-player without having to stagnate at the top. There are currently two Prestige levels but Battlestate plans to add six more and while it’s currently PvP only, Prestige will eventually come to all game modes.
It’s a smart way of keeping hardcore players happy and, speaking of smart, Escape from Tarkov’s bots have been given a mental boost. They’re now smarter all round, and will use under barrel grenade launchers, lay down suppressing fire, flank players and more. So if you’ve ever found their skills wanting, you could be in for a shock.
Escape from Tarkov Patch 0.16.0 is out now. It includes a host of additional changes, all of which are detailed in the patch notes.
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