New EFT & Arena Roadmap (updated after TwitchCom)

On September 20th, BSG released a new roadmap for the end of 2024, highlighting several exciting features that could potentially have a significant impact on the game.

BSG has chosen to update the EFT community on their plans for the remaining months of 2024, leading up to what is expected to be the next wipe at the end of December.

As shown in the image they shared, there are several new developments for both Arena and EFT. Let’s go over the key points:

EFT: Arena

• New Locations: By the end of the year, two new maps are expected, one of which will be the "Fort" map that Nikita recently teased on social media and was tested by participants at TwitchCon. The details of the second map remain unknown.
  

• New Game Mode: High expectations surround the new game mode, although specifics are still under wraps. Some speculate it might be a "Gun Game" mode, where players progress through rounds using specific weapons. Others hope for modes like "Conquest" or "Capture the Flag."
  

• Molotov Cocktail: This new throwable could be fun, ideal for blocking off passages, defending areas, or flushing out enemies hiding in tight spaces by roasting them as they deserve.
  

• Battle Pass System: Although controversial in other games, the real test will be how it’s implemented and what it brings to EFT.
  

• Technical Improvements, Gameplay Adjustments, QoL Enhancements, Ranked Calibration System: These tweaks, along with bug fixes, aim to make the gameplay experience more enjoyable and less frustrating.

San Diego TwitchCon 2024 attenders watch a match played in the new EFT:Arena map "Fort"

Escape From Tarkov

As the full game release approaches, which Nikita confirmed should happen next year at TwitchCon, BSG seems to be moving swiftly to address major issues and meet player demands.

• Unity 2022 Update: Announced multiple times in the past, we’re hoping this time it sticks. As others have mentioned, including Nikita at TwitchCon, it’s important to manage expectations about what the update will bring.
  

  Many expect improvements in graphical quality, performance (like higher FPS), and netcode once the update hits. Nikita confirmed these improvements will happen, but gradually. The new engine won’t immediately deliver these upgrades; rather, it will provide new tools and settings for developers to make these improvements over the coming months.
  

  Personally, like many others, I expect some initial hiccups with the update, but I’m optimistic it will eventually pay off and lead to overall performance gains.

  
  

  It’s no surprise the roadmap includes also two phases of "Game Client Performance Optimization" and "Technical Improvements."

• Sound Engine Improvements: While Patch 0.15 brought major improvements to sound quality—making it more realistic and immersive—some changes have worsened sound directionality. Vertical sound positioning, in particular, has become more challenging, making it harder to tell if an enemy is above, below, or on the same level.
  

  Let’s hope these upcoming "improvements" finally bring the sound engine up to the quality and reliability a game like EFT deserves.

Other EFT Features:

• Stash/Hideout Interaction While Matching: At last, players will be able to use the waiting time productively, instead of staring at a timer or watching YouTube shorts on a second screen.
  

• Item Locking in Stash: This much-requested feature would allow players to use auto-sorting in their inventory without disturbing manually organized items. This is going to be a huge QoL change!
  

  It would also be helpful to be able to choose whether to auto-sort the stash from top to bottom or vice versa. Many (myself included) prefer the free space at the top so that after a raid, we can quickly transfer items from PMC or Scav to the stash using CTRL+click, then organize them later.

Finally, other additions on the roadmap include seasonal changes (autumn first, then winter), new weapons, "weapon content" (unclear what that entails), new in-game events, expansions of mechanics introduced with Patch 0.15, and further QoL improvements as requested by players.

And that’s all. Let’s hope everything goes smoothly and that BSG manages to meet all the deadlines in this roadmap!