The latest Escape from Tarkov wipe, often dubbed the “Hardcore Wipe”, hit differently. Whether you’ve been playing since the early alphas or you’re a seasonal wipe-hopper, chances are this one felt… off. Slower progression, less gear, more pain and for many, less fun.
At first glance, it looked like BSG wanted to dial things up. Make the game more punishing, more survival-driven, more “true to Tarkov’s vision.” And in a way they did. But at what cost?
Within days of the wipe, Reddit was flooded with posts like:
“This wipe ain’t it…”
“I’m logging off until next patch”
“Why is everything locked now?”
The initial exodus was real. YouTubers complained about the grind. Streamers shifted to other games. Casuals got steamrolled in gear gaps and tapped out early. Hardcore players? Even some of them hit burnout faster than usual.
But here’s the twist: they’re coming back. Slowly, steadily. Like always.
Why?
Because Tarkov is still that game. The highs are unmatched. The PvPvE loop is brutal and beautiful. And for all its flaws, no other game does what EFT does.
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This question keeps popping up, and honestly, nobody knows except Nikita (and maybe not even him). BSG has been teasing “the final wipe” for years now. But is it real this time?
Let’s break it down:
| Possibility | Likelihood | Why |
|---|---|---|
| True 1.0 Release | đźź Medium | Streets of Tarkov is technically in. Hideout’s in. Most systems exist. But the game still feels… incomplete. |
| Another Big Patch + Wipe | 🟢 High | The pattern fits. New traders, new features, wipe, repeat. Marketing a wipe as “the last one” hypes up returners. |
| No More Wipes, Just Persistent Tarkov | 🔴 Low | Unless servers and economy systems get a full rework, this isn’t viable yet. |
Even if BSG labels the next wipe as “1.0”, it may still be EFT-as-we-know-it with a new hat, just a bigger patch, a fancier trailer, and the same ol’ post-wipe PTSD.
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In all likelihood:
A major update around late 2025 or early 2026.
Some overhyped features (maybe Karma 2.0 or Dynamic Quests).
And yes… probably another wipe.
Whether it’s 1.0 or not, Tarkov will continue to evolve, and we’ll keep coming back. Because deep down, we love the pain. (And the loot.)
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The Hardcore Wipe shook the playerbase. It burned out some, filtered others, and forced a new pace on everyone. But it’s also reminded us that Tarkov isn’t just about loot — it’s about surviving, adapting, and occasionally punching your monitor.
So whether the next wipe is 1.0 or just 0.13.57321b, one thing’s for sure:
We’ll be there. With scuffed gear, shaky hands, and that sweet, sweet rat loot.