Escape from Tarkov, arguably the game that popularized the extraction shooter genre, recently got itself embroiled in a huge controversy once again.
Russian studio Battlestate Games announced a new edition of the game, now available for pre-order at the whopping price of $267. The so-called Unheard Edition will include access to a brand new PvE co-operative mode with persistent progression, in addition to the following items:
- Enhanced stash size (10x72)
- Unique in-game ID
- Expanded PMC pockets
- Increased Fence standing
- More slots on the Flea Market
- Unique in-game melee weapon
- Increased mail retention time
- Additional background screen option
- Free access to all subsequent DLCs (Season pass)
- Access to the Early Test Server (ETS)
- Additional equipment and resources in the stash
However, the announcement proved extremely controversial. Not only is Battlestate Games planning to gate the PvE co-op mode behind the Unheard Edition, locking away everyone else in a baffling choice, but they also asked owners of the previously most expensive edition (called Edge of Darkness) to pay $100 to access the PvE mode. That is despite Battlestate's original promise that the Edge of Darkness edition would include all future DLC made for Escape from Tarkov.
Following the negative feedback, the developers have now promised to provide all Edge of Darkness owners access to the PvE mode. Game Director Nikita Buyanov wrote on Reddit:
At this stage, it is not possible to launch all players who are EoD holders - right now, we simply do not have the required amount of resources for this. We observe your dissatisfaction and have decided that the functionality of the PvE mode will be available for free to all owners of the EoD version at the release of the game, when the server infrastructure will be improved to the required capacity.
Now, you have the opportunity to test this mode by purchasing the Unheard edition of the game or upgrading to this version. We also decided to give a 50% discount when upgrading to the Unheard version from the EoD version. We plan to send one free Left Behind Edition key to everyone who has already upgraded to Unheard Edition at the old price from the EoD version. Moreover, so that any player of any version of Escape from Tarkov can have the opportunity to test the PvE mode, we want to add the ability to purchase separate early access to this mode. For EoD owners there will be a 70% discount on the purchase of early access to PvE.
This isn't ideal, and many players are still angry, but at least it's an improvement for the owners of Edge of Darkness.
About the author: With over two decades of experience in gaming journalism, Alessio Palumbo has led the gaming vertical at Wccftech since August 2015. He started working at a young age for Italian websites like Everyeye.it, Gamestar.it, Nextgame.it, and Multiplayer.it before kickstarting the indie English-language publication Worlds Factory as its founder and Editor in Chief. In the last decade, he has coordinated the overall output of Wccftech's gaming section, managed PR relations, assigned reviews, produced daily news coverage, edited gaming content as needed, and delivered game reviews. Arguably, his trademark content is the long series of exclusive developer interviews that have been cited by Wikipedia and by the biggest news media and gaming publications. His passion for technology also makes him knowledgeable when it comes to gaming hardware and tech. His favorite genres include RPGs, MMORPGs, and action/adventure games.
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