‘Escape From Tarkov’ Fans Are Outraged At New $250 Pay-To-Win Edition

Earlier today the Unheard Edition of Escape From Tarkov was announced as part of the latest patch, promising a brand new player versus environment mode and other bonuses. Now that the edition has launched, fans are not happy with the bonus it gives and the massive $250 price tag.

The first issue that fans have is that the player versus environment mode for Tarkov is exclusive to those who buy the new edition. This is despite the fact that anyone who purchased the old Edge of Darkness edition was promised all future DLC content as part of the season pass, which you would think would include this new mode.

A lot of fans who have the EoD edition are, rightfully, very annoyed that they now have to upgrade from the EoD edition, which costs $100, in order to play it. However, some posts on the official Discord have tried to explain why BSG thinks this is not DLC.

“It ain’t DLC, its unique feature of the new edition added,” said Discord user appl3z0r, who is the Lead Community Manager at Battlestate Games for Escape from Tarkov.

“DLC means additional downloadable content. PvE is a feature and a gamemode,” they added in another message. “Just because you all want it to become a DLC it wouldn’t mean it is one. It’s featured game mode for the new edition of the game.”

The other major issue that fans have been complaining about is the big in-game bonuses players with the new edition will get. While other editions of the game give some bonuses, so far none have been major factors when on the map and fighting with other players, the closest is extra loot that they get at the start of a wipe. However, this new edition includes more space to store loot when on the map, improved skills at the start of a wipe and a bonus where AI scavs will not shoot at them if they have over six reputation levels with Fence.

These, along with some of the other bonuses, have led to the edition being labelled pay to win, with players who buy it expected to have a big advantage over those who do not have it, especially at the start of a wipe.

The reaction to the new edition has been so negative that all but three channels in the official Escape From Tarkov Discord server have been silenced, with users not able to post in them. Moderators on the game’s sub-Reddit are also waiving the rule that prevents multiple posts about the same topic, saying that they are “just as livid about this situation as you.”

Battlestate Games did not respond to my request for comment prior to publication.

Battlestate Games is yet to officially comment on the backlash from fans, however, with pressure mounting from fans and some even looking into legal action, you would expect them to do so sooner rather than later.

The move also comes at a very bad time given that Gray Zone Warfare, a game many see as a competitor to Tarkov, has just wrapped up its first public streamer test which has gone down incredibly well with fans. With public sentiment towards Tarkov very low, many fans are hoping they can get hands-on with GZW sooner rather than later.

Update 8:15 pm BST:

The official Escape From Tarkov X account has posted a statement that seems to suggest Battlestate Games has no plans to make the new mode available to anyone who does not buy the new edition.