Escape from Tarkov is offering players in-game currency as a bounty for reporting cheaters

Escape from Tarkov is ramping up its efforts against cheaters by introducing a new incentive: a cash bounty, paid in the game’s in-game currency, for players who report rule-breakers.

The popular extraction shooter has a long history of battling cheaters, even going as far as publicly naming and shaming thousands of banned players. Earlier this year, Battlestate Games announced they had banned over 11,000 cheaters in just a few weeks. Despite these efforts, cheaters persist, leading to the implementation of this new bounty system.

How It Works

In the latest patch notes, this initiative is referred to as "compensation for reporting players who violated game rules." The process is straightforward: players who report a cheater and have their report confirmed will receive an unspecified amount of in-game money once the cheater is banned. This system discourages players from reporting indiscriminately, as only verified reports will earn the bounty. Dedicated bounty hunters who successfully report multiple cheaters will see their rewards stack up.

What's New in Patch 0.14.9.5

The bounty system is part of the latest patch 0.14.9.5, which brings several other updates:

• Item Wishlists: Players can now create wishlists for easier tracking of desired items.

• PMC and Scav AI Tweaks: Adjustments have been made to improve the behavior and difficulty of AI-controlled characters.

• PvE Zone Mode Offline: The ability to play the PvE Zone mode offline has been added, a feature that stirred controversy earlier this year.
  
  

  
  
  

Controversy and Resolution

The PvE Zone mode was at the center of a backlash when a new $250 edition of the game was announced in April, offering exclusive access to this mode. This angered players who had purchased the previous top-tier version, Edge of Darkness, which promised all future DLC for free. After initial resistance, Battlestate Games eventually allowed Edge of Darkness owners access to the PvE mode.

Final Thoughts

Escape from Tarkov's new bounty system is a bold step in the ongoing battle against cheaters. By rewarding players with in-game currency for verified reports, the developers hope to create a cleaner, fairer gaming environment. With the additional updates in patch 0.14.9.5, Tarkov continues to evolve, aiming to meet the demands and expectations of its dedicated player base.