Datamining is now a bannable offense in Escape from Tarkov

Escape from Tarkov is infamous for its steep learning curve and brutality for newcomers. Many helpful stats like penetration values and spawn rates are hidden from the player by design. Usually, a quick browse of external websites can shed light on information like this. In the future, that might not be the case, thanks to a new policy change.

Datamining is now a bannable offense in Escape from Tarkov

On June 23rd, 2023, Battlestate Games, the developers of Escape from Tarkov, tweeted from its official page regarding “Illegal Datamining of information.”

Datamining is where raw data is pulled from the game files. Usually, it reveals information unintended for public consumption, like details on upcoming events. In Tarkov, this data can also reveal changes in ballistics and quests.

The post explains the definition of data mining and how it breaches several clauses in the license agreement. The post goes on to say that data mining removes the “wow factor from the game but also makes the game much more predictable, which does not align with the development vision.”

Image by PC Invasion

The part that’s likely to draw ire is Battlestate Games’ stance on sharing data-mined information. The post eludes to bans for any “personalities” sharing said info with the potential for further action. Battlestate games also mention that the Wikia is an official resource, although it’s not always up to date.

Sudden events in Escape from Tarkov always have the community buzzing on Reddit and other social media platforms. The concern: we won’t know game-changing details without the help of data miners, and the community will have to rely on guesswork.

I’ve played Escape from Tarkov for years and remember how much I relied on external resources to survive my first wipe. On one hand, this policy might make the game even more insurmountable. On the other, maybe the community not knowing everything on day one will be a refreshing change.

If you’re trying out Warzone DMZ in preparation for the next wipe, check out our guide hub.