Escape From Tarkov’ Patch 14.5.5 Launches Tomorrow

Battlestate Games has announced the upcoming release of patch 14.5.5 for Escape From Tarkov, scheduled to launch tomorrow, April 14. The installation process is slated to begin at 8:00 am BST / 3:00 am EDT and is expected to last approximately four hours, during which time the game servers will be down. However, there is a possibility that the server downtime could be extended.

While there is currently no detailed information about the contents of patch 14.5.5, it is unlikely to be a major update, following closely after the recent 14.5 patch. The previous update introduced significant changes, including a rework of the Woods map and a new matchmaking queue for the Ground Zero map, tailored for higher level players. Patch 14.5.5 is more likely to focus on bug fixes that may have arisen from the previous patch.

Since the release of the 14.5 patch, several new bugs have been reported, particularly related to the addition of the BTR vehicle to the Woods map. Issues have been noted with the AI driver navigating the map’s uneven terrain, with some reports even mentioning the BTR being invisible when only the driver is present. It is expected that these bugs will be addressed in the upcoming patch.

During an interview with Pestily, game director Nikita Buyanov hinted at numerous features and changes that would be coming soon. While many of these were introduced in the 14.5 patch, some are still pending and could potentially be included in the 14.5.5 update.

The timing of the patch release coincides with the later stages of the current wipe cycle, with the last wipe occurring in late December 2023. This indicates that another wipe is likely to take place in the next few months. As the game progresses towards the end of the current wipe, it may pose challenges for players who have not been actively playing since December. However, there are expected to be in-game events in the near future that will entice players to return.