Though Call of Duty: Modern Warfare and Fortnite continue to be some of the most popular online shooters today, the indie first-person shooter Escape from Tarkov has developed a very loyal fanbase over the past couple of months thanks to a rise in popularity on Twitch. These players have come to memorize the maps pretty well, especially the community favorite Interchange.
Interchange is a large map featuring a shopping mall sitting in between the only two exits. Now, the developers of Escape from Tarkov have recently announced that the map will be getting reworked in the next patch, and will include new exits.
Apart from the new exits, Battlestate Games, the studio behind Escape from Tarkov, hasn't said what exactly they've changed in Interchange. The new exits will be important, especially for fans who play as Scavs, as they'll need to learn where they are if they want to escape with all the loot they find in the mall. The studio also mentioned that the rework would feature new lighting, which should make it easier for players in the parking lot to hide in the shadows. Interactive objects will also be coming to the map.
Apparently, this rework was made to meet player demands, which may give some fans hope that the server reset might come soon. While it is a community favorite, it does tend to be an easy target for extraction campers. Due to the current extraction points sitting on both corners of the map, camping at the exit and shooting and looting everyone who comes near has become a common tactic in Interchange. That should change with the introduction of the new extraction points.
Along with the rework of Interchange, version 0.12.4 will introduce some new systems to the gritty realistic shooter. Characters can now suffer from fatigue, which will happen if a player spends too much time with their stamina depleted. Players suffering from fatigue will use up energy much faster, and will be unable to sprint, jump, or climb over obstacles as quickly as normal. The stamina system is also being split into two halves: players will have separate leg and arm stamina to keep track of. Leg stamina will be consumed by running and jumping, while arm stamina depletes by doing things like aiming and throwing grenades.
The new patch will also introduce a weight mechanic. If players carry too much, they'll be weighed down, which comes with several debuffs. Players who are weighed down will make more noise, won't be able to move as quickly, and will end up spending more stamina even faster. Players will have to keep this in mind, along with several other pro tips, if they want to escape the nightmare.
The closed beta for Escape from Tarkov is currently available on PC. The full game's release date has yet to be announced.
Source: Escape from Tarkov Forum