Battlestate Games announced the launch of the Halloween event for Escape from Tarkov on October 29. Meanwhile, Escape from Tarkov: Arena introduced a 5v5 mode where players fight exclusively with melee weapons without firearms.
Arena's new mode, "Bloodlust," is based on "CheckPoint". Inspired by classic slasher films, participants wear masks modeled after horror movie killers and engage in team combat using only knives and blunt weapons. Experience gained from matches and kills is doubled, while a 1.5x bonus applies to Battle Pass progression. Cash rewards are also provided, and completing special quests earns players the "Mask Off" achievement.
In Escape from Tarkov, a widespread outbreak of infected individuals occurs due to a spreading virus. In new quests, players can choose to assist in maintaining quarantine in general areas or enter densely populated infected quarantine zones to search for vaccine ingredients.
The main stages of activity are two locations featured in a separate map selection tab: "The Infected Lab" and "Infected Factory." These are infected versions of "The Lab" and "The Old Factory," respectively; only small groups of players can enter, and insurance is disabled.
Enemy behavior and combat mechanics have also been altered. Fast infected, slow infected, and ranged attack infected show distinct differences in behavior by type, and combat balance—including ambushes—has been adjusted. An infected Tagilla wielding a scythe returns to raids, alongside infected Black Division operatives. At night, increased Cultist activity raises the risk of raids.
Players can earn commemorative achievements and rewards by progressing through story quests and eliminating infected. Rewards include event-exclusive posters and in-game resources.
