Game Developer Claims ‘Escape from Tarkov’ Has Harmed the Industry
Dave Oshry, co-founder of New Blood Interactive, has sparked conversation in the gaming community after stating that Escape from Tarkov has “caused irreparable damage” to the video game industry.
Speaking during a recent appearance on the Quad Damage podcast, Oshry voiced his frustration with the ongoing trend of “extraction shooters” – a genre popularised by Escape from Tarkov, which blends high-stakes looting with survival gameplay. Oshry argued that the title’s overwhelming success has led to a wave of copycat projects, leaving little room for innovation.
“Everything needs to be an extraction shooter now,” Oshry said, referencing how Escape from Tarkov has influenced studios worldwide. “I just like regular games. But I’m old – I get it. I’m not the target audience anymore.”
Although The Duskbloods – a recently announced title from FromSoftware – is not strictly an extraction shooter, its PvPvE format has drawn comparisons to the genre. This, along with upcoming titles like Bungie’s Marathon and Gray Zone Warfare, reinforces Oshry’s point about the genre’s growing dominance.
Despite his criticism, Oshry acknowledged that extraction shooters offer a compelling experience for many players, delivering an unpredictable and often adrenaline-fueled loop. However, he cautioned that the saturation of similar titles could stunt creativity in the industry.
Launched in beta in 2017, Escape from Tarkov has long been praised for its intensity and complexity. Its influence is undeniable – but for some, like Oshry, the game’s success has come at a cost to variety and originality in game development.
