Guns, Magic, Sanctuary (3): Extraction Shooter
Extraction shooters. There's so much I could say about Escape from Tarkov, the game that pioneered the genre.
Why? Even during my grueling game dev days, when I was burning out from overwork, I sank 500 hours into it straight—no breaks.
I've loved FPS games since I was a kid. Back then, it was one of the "big three noob games" alongside MapleStory and FIFA—King of God Tactics (still a mystery why an 18+ game became kid fodder). For the more niche stuff, Call of Duty, Battlefield, Warlock, Counter-Strike, Battlegrounds. Hardcore? DayZ and Arma. Pretty sure I played every shooter out there.
Tarkov was the last one I touched. With its utterly unique systems and gameplay, it hit my gamer instincts hard, and I dove right in. Screaming "Nikita you bastard!" the whole time.
Anyway, enough nostalgia. Extraction shooters differ from other FPS games with their deathmatch or objective-capture playstyles. You enter a specific area, grab high-value items, and extract through pre-set escape points.
One goal: survive and get out safely.
But the maps are riddled with traps, and hostile NPCs armed to the teeth make even escaping—let alone looting—a nightmare. Then players jump in and start backstabbing each other. How could you not lose your mind?
Lost items? Gone forever. With hyper-realistic constraints pushing hardcore play, it's a seriously niche genre.
'But put another way, it means there's real expertise involved.'
I remember a former special forces YouTuber reviewing a pro player's run. He was blown away, saying it was basically real-world CQB.
As a training sim for responding to diverse enemies in realistic environments? Perfect.
So how do we adapt this genre? Simple. Just transplant the terrain from this expedition as our stage.
Tweak the demon models and behaviors that show up, and boom—realistic training sim done.
The game world outside Sanctuary was barely described anyway.
But how do we get the expedition data?
"Let's start the demon briefing."
My club members aren't basement-dwelling keyboard warriors. They're pros with skills and experience ready for the front lines anytime.
Hell, fewer people have never been on an expedition than have. Me and Riana included.
"The classic example is the undead. No life signs nearby? They go dormant, hiding everywhere. Spot prey? They'll hunt you relentlessly, no matter what."
Rin Ashford, 6-circle mage and council operative with demon extermination ops under her belt, kicked things off.
Our world's undead aren't your fantasy zombies or skeletons. These bastards don't die.
Chop off limbs or smash skulls, and the magic scatters then regroups, regenerating in seconds.
Plus, demon-style immunity: nullifies all magic except fire attributes and rock (the one closest to physical force).
Only options? Priests purifying directly or holy-blessed weapons.
And these monsters are just the trash mobs.
'No wonder the empire and alliance never cleared the north.'
Jacob chimed in with more intel.
"Especially in the Vulcanian Grand Duchy—vampire territory. Expect tons of undead types, like Rin said."
"Yeah, corrupted monsters too."
"Right. Local beasts get periodically drawn to the 'Vampire Lord'."
"...So the empire drew the short straw?"
"His Majesty chose it. He's been waiting for our turn."
"Didn't you say you had expedition experience, Eaton? How do fights go against demons?"
"Demons neutralize our biggest weapon—magic. But they don't drop from a few arrows like goblins or ogres."
Adventurer guilds send elite squads on expeditions too. Eaton Charleston, ex-platinum adventurer like Jacob, had northern exp.
"Goal's area control and wiping demon remnants, so 5-man squads sweep sectors. Spot demons? Call in the paladins or blessed knights waiting at the center. Basic tactic."
"...That's a hassle. Regular soldiers just tank until knights arrive?"
"They get some holy water for emergencies, but it's never enough. Hence 4-man teams per squad—to boost survival odds."
Way hardcore than I thought. Demons are this bad?
"Haha! Eaton, that works in open spots like the Billharem Mountains. Vulcanian? They'll split finer. It's all buildings like Sanctuary outskirts. Trickier battlefield."
"No exaggeration that the Imperial Guard exists solely for northern expeditions."
"Ah... So that's why the Guard's huge, separate from the capital legions?"
"Obvious! Only Guard-level lets regular troops avoid demon fodder status."
I'd figured the emperor kept them for show or emergencies. Nope—expeditions.
Even better. If the real battlefield's tougher than I imagined, game training will hit hard.
Bump sync from 20% to 50% for realism too. Gotta know field triage if your arm gets chomped.
"Thanks for the real-world insights, everyone. Let's grind hard for the next month."
I divvied up roles fast.
Escape from Sanctuary—my third official game, first online multiplayer.
Unlike Queen of Maryland Maker's modeling/scenario focus, this needed combat design and enemy NPCs.
"Eaton and Jacob, project leads. Scenarios... me and Riana for now."
"Appreciate it. I'll check in when free—call anytime."
"Cool. Off to draft the plan."
Fantasy extraction shooter. As a genre fan, my heart was racing after so long.
Once done, I'll grind it myself.
A few days later, I took the pitch to Cassian. But he was out.
"Commander went to Nirvana for council support on the northern exp. Want me to wire him?"
"Nah, we're tight on time too."
"From what I know, His Majesty gave full authority not just to the Commander, but Duke Pavel Ishinkiore too. If rushed, see the Duke?"
"Good call."
Ended up with the chicken instead of the pheasant—got Pavel Ishinkiore, co-responsible for the exp, to approve.
"Replicate the real battlefield as close as possible? If real, it'll help the exp hugely."
"Yes. Can we get maps and terrain data?"
"About 20 years back, empire handled Vulcanian's 'purge' too. Records exist—I'll send to the library once found."
"Thank you, Your Grace. We'll perfect it."
"Haha, why worry about you? My daughter's pick."
"...??? No, I'm the one helped by Lady Riana."
"Sure, sure. Keep supporting each other—it's good to see."
Briefly puzzled by the Duke's sudden warmth spike.
Final sign-off done. Back to the library for new game prep.
"Start with monsters enthralled by the Lord."
"Model from QueenMaker goblins and hobgoblins."
Got terrain, difficulty, enemy patterns from Eaton and Jacob.
"Added gun variants and attachments for better use. Pretty fun."
Incorporated blueprints from Hinkel and modelers.
"'Commercial District' map ready now?"
"Already asked my adventurer juniors. Weekend playtest?"
Escape from Sanctuary hit alpha-ready fast.
Library's regular closing day.
"First time seeing Instructor Eaton Charleston this pumped?"
"Right? If it goes well, guild might bump our ranks."
"Pfft, your skills can't touch platinum scraps. Freeloading much?"
"But seriously, what's the deal? That dimensional magic rumor? Mages-only VIP stuff."
"Instructor's connected. Favoring us with new ops."
Seven gold-badge adventurers visited the Central Magic Library.