New Escape From Tarkov update makes the FPS more immersive and intense than ever

Escape From Tarkov has rightfully earned its place as one of the most realistic FPS games on PC, and a huge part of that comes from its focus on sound. As you slowly trudge through the likes of Factory or Customs, your hearing needs to be sharp. Maybe there are some footsteps above you, a firefight off in the distance, or an NPC barking orders. Whatever it is, understanding all of EFT's sounds is key to a successful extraction. That's why, with the latest Escape From Tarkov update, Battlestate Games is massively improving the overall audio experience.

With the Escape From Tarkov 1.0 release date inching ever closer, BSG isn't slowing down. Patch 0.16.7.0 is finally here, and it's making some huge changes to the game's audio, AI, and quality-of-life features. With this update, BSG is changing the in-game season to summer and optimizing the performance in parts of the Reserve map. But this is just the beginning, as EFT continues to prove why it's in our best FPS games list.

As a part of the latest update, Battlestate Games has massively overhauled Escape From Tarkov's audio. "The audio engine systems and its individual subsystems have been significantly expanded to provide a more immersive Escape From Tarkov experience," BSG writes. "The current version has gone through several stages of testing, however it is still not final, so you may encounter unexpected audio behavior in various situations. This stage is necessary to collect feedback and do more tests on a diverse variety of players' hardware and software."

These audio changes mean BSG has "readjusted the sound subsystem that checks for obstructions between the listener and the source" in the game. So you can expect improved rendering for interactive windows and doors to help performance, and better sound penetration between floors of buildings and on stairways as well. Sound processing between the listener and source when the latter is behind an obstacle (like uneven terrain, vehicles, rocks, or crates) has also been improved. BSG has also reduced the loudness of bushes in both third and first person, while upgrading the general sound occlusion in various locations to enhance their detail.

It's not just sound, though, as Battlestate Games is also introducing some quality-of-life improvements. First up, you now have an item search window, allowing you to find whatever you need in your stash by category or name. You can even automatically convert currency if you don't have enough when purchasing an item, making it easier than ever to get what you need. BSG has also rebalanced the sensitivity and zooming ability of optical sights, while "improving the usability of specific optical and thermal sights" as well.

As for Tarkov's AI, Battlestate Games is upgrading it across the entire experience. Bots should now interact better with doors, for one. That's not all, however, as BSG writes that "PMC bots will now try to avoid areas where the location Bosses initially spawn and are less likely to engage in combat with them" going forward.

Battlestate Games is installing Escape From Tarkov update 0.16.7.0 on Monday, June 23. You can read the full patch notes courtesy of BSG.

If you're looking for more than just Escape From Tarkov, make sure you check out all the best multiplayer games and best war games to keep you busy.

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