Battlestate Games has revealed the results of their comprehensive in-game survey about weather and seasonal systems in Escape from Tarkov. Players overwhelmingly identified fog and rain as the most annoying weather conditions, with over 36% finding rain volume too loud. In response, developers have committed to adjusting rain audio levels in an upcoming update while considering additional weather enhancements based on player feedback.
Survey Reveals Players' Weather Preferences in Tarkov
The harsh, unforgiving world of Escape from Tarkov is known for its punishing realism, and the game's weather systems are a critical part of that experience. Battlestate Games recently conducted an in-game survey to gather player feedback on various aspects of the game's environmental systems, including weather conditions, visibility factors, and seasonal changes.
The survey results, shared by the developers on March 19, 2025, provide fascinating insights into player preferences and pain points regarding Tarkov's atmospheric elements. This data will guide future improvements to make the game's weather systems both more immersive and balanced for gameplay.
Fog and Rain: The Most Frustrating Weather Conditions
According to the survey, fog emerged as the most disliked weather condition, with 40.02% of players finding it annoying. Rain followed closely behind at 30.82%. These results aren't surprising considering how both conditions can significantly impact visibility and audio detection, two crucial elements for survival in Tarkov's high-stakes environment.
Interestingly, 18.20% of players reported being satisfied with all weather effects, suggesting that a significant portion of the community appreciates the variety and challenge that different weather conditions bring to raids.
Rain Volume Adjustment Coming Soon
One of the most actionable pieces of feedback concerns rain volume. The survey revealed that 36.51% of players find the current rain audio levels too loud, with another 30.07% feeling it's louder than preferred but not game-breaking. In response, Battlestate Games has confirmed they will be adjusting rain volume in an upcoming update.
This change should improve the audio experience during rainy raids without compromising the atmospheric immersion that weather effects provide. Only 33.42% of players reported being satisfied with the current rain volume, indicating that this adjustment will be welcomed by the majority of the community.
What About Extreme Weather?
When asked about adding more extreme weather conditions to the game, players showed strong support for the idea. Over half (52.47%) believe extreme weather would enhance the game's atmosphere, while an additional 19.25% support implementing it in select locations.
This suggests players are open to more dynamic and challenging environmental conditions, even if they might make survival more difficult. Only 15.47% expressed concerns that extreme weather would negatively impact game balance.
Season Selection for PvE Mode
Another interesting finding is that 53.06% of players would like the ability to select seasons when playing in PvE mode. This feature would add variety to the offline experience and potentially allow players to practice in specific seasonal conditions before taking on the full online experience.
The remaining 20.65% indicated that season selection isn't important to them, suggesting this feature, while desired by many, might not be a top priority for implementation.
Weather Transitions During Raids
When it comes to how weather changes during raids, player opinions were more divided:
- 36.01% prefer smoother transitions between different weather states
- 31.53% are satisfied with the current weather change rate
- 20.34% would like faster weather transitions for added dynamism
- 12.13% believe weather should remain constant throughout a raid
This spread of preferences presents an interesting challenge for developers in finding the right balance that satisfies the largest portion of players.
How Do Seasons Affect Performance?
The survey also explored how seasonal changes impact game performance:
- 26.07% notice no significant performance changes but feel seasons affect atmosphere
- 22.16% report slight performance impact that doesn't interfere with gameplay
- 20.12% believe some seasons degrade game performance
- 18.32% see no effect on gameplay or performance
- 13.32% experience significant performance degradation
These results suggest that while seasonal effects do impact performance for some players, the majority either don't notice significant changes or feel the atmospheric benefits outweigh any performance costs.
Detailed Survey Results
| Weather/Season Survey Topic | Response Percentage | Player Opinion |
|---|---|---|
| Performance and gameplay impact of season change | 26.07% | No significant change in performance, but affects atmosphere |
| Performance and gameplay impact of season change | 22.16% | Slight impact on performance, but does not interfere with comfortable gameplay |
| Performance and gameplay impact of season change | 20.12% | Some seasons can degrade game performance |
| Performance and gameplay impact of season change | 18.32% | No effect on gameplay and performance |
| Performance and gameplay impact of season change | 13.32% | Significant impact on performance, which degrades gameplay |
| Annoying weather conditions | 40.02% | Fog is the most annoying factor |
| Annoying weather conditions | 30.82% | Rain is most often inconvenient |
| Annoying weather conditions | 18.20% | Satisfied with all weather effects |
| Annoying weather conditions | 6.93% | Clear weather is an annoying factor |
| Annoying weather conditions | 4.03% | Overcast weather is uncomfortable |
| Rain volume balance | 36.51% | Rain volume too loud, interferes with gameplay |
| Rain volume balance | 33.42% | Satisfied with current volume |
| Rain volume balance | 30.07% | Rain sound is louder than preferred, but not interfering with gameplay |
| Adding extreme weather conditions | 52.47% | Would make the game more atmospheric |
| Adding extreme weather conditions | 19.25% | Support the idea, but only on certain locations |
| Adding extreme weather conditions | 15.47% | Will worsen the balance |
| Adding extreme weather conditions | 12.81% | Satisfied with current weather effects |
| Selecting seasons in PvE mode | 53.06% | Would add variety |
| Selecting seasons in PvE mode | 20.65% | Season selection is not important |
| In-raid weather change rate | 36.01% | Prefer smoother transitions between different weather states |
| In-raid weather change rate | 31.53% | Like the current weather change rate |
| In-raid weather change rate | 20.34% | Fast weather transitions would add to the dynamic |
| In-raid weather change rate | 12.13% | Weather should remain the same as it was when the raid started |
What's Next for Tarkov's Weather Systems?
Battlestate Games has confirmed they'll be adjusting rain volume based on player feedback, but they're not stopping there. The developers have stated they will continue analyzing the survey data and in-game metrics to make further improvements to weather and seasonal systems.
Given the positive reception to potential extreme weather conditions and seasonal selection options, we might see these features implemented in future updates. The challenge for developers will be balancing atmospheric immersion with gameplay considerations and performance impacts.
Why Do Weather Systems Matter in Tarkov?
In a game as tactically focused as Escape from Tarkov, environmental conditions play a crucial role in gameplay. Fog limits visibility, forcing players to rely more on sound. Rain masks footsteps, changing how players need to approach stealth and detection. These elements add layers of complexity to an already deep tactical experience.
By fine-tuning these systems based on player feedback, Battlestate Games demonstrates their commitment to creating the most immersive and balanced hardcore shooter experience possible. The upcoming rain volume adjustment is just the first step in what appears to be ongoing refinements to the game's atmospheric elements.