After facing significant complaints from the gaming community, Battlestate Games, the developer behind Escape From Tarkov, has finally relented on its decision regarding the premium Unheard Edition of the game.
(Photo : Battlestate Games / Screenshot taken from the official website.)
Read Also: Alone in the Dark Reboot Devs Face Layoffs Amid Post-Release Turmoil
COO Apologizes and Offers Concessions
In a statement posted on the Tarkov subreddit, Battlestate COO Nikita Buyanov expressed regret for the negative impact on fans and the gaming community caused by the introduction of the $250 Unheard Edition. He acknowledged the discontent among players who had previously purchased the $150 Edge of Darkness (EoD) edition.
Here are the key concessions and assurances offered by Battlestate:
- Players who purchased the $150 EoD edition will now receive access to the PvE mode during the game's early access period without any additional payment or time limit. However, due to concerns about server capacity, access will be granted gradually in waves.
- Mod support will be added to the PvE mode upon the game's 1.0 release, providing additional customization options for players.
- Battlestate will continue to sell the $250 Unheard Edition and offer upgrades to it from other packages.
- The controversial proposal for "preferred matchmaking" will be removed.
- The developer reassures players of its commitment to ongoing development, patches, new content, and events.
Mixed Response from the Community
While these changes address some of the primary complaints from players, there remains a sense of dissatisfaction within the Tarkov community. Many expressed disappointment with the wording of Buyanov's apology and questioned the studio's future decisions.
Some players suggest that Battlestate should focus on cosmetic monetization instead of introducing stratified bundles with mechanical advantages and exclusive modes.
Related Article: Escape From Tarkov Dev Defends New PvE Mode Locked Behind $250 Paywall
