Summary
- Director Nikita Buyanov apologizes for the controversial $250 bundle in Escape from Tarkov, offering free PvE access to Edge of Darkness owners.
- Fan backlash continues as some feel Buyanov's apology is insincere, questioning the high price tag for a closed beta game.
- Time will tell if Escape from Tarkov can regain players' trust, as the community remains divided over monetization practices.
Escape from Tarkov director Nikita Buyanov apologized to fans displeased by the release of the controversial The Unheard edition, an expensive bundle that included exclusive access to a highly anticipated PvE mode. Developer Battlestate Games' popular extraction shooter was hit with widespread player outrage when it was revealed the long-awaited PvE mode was locked behind a $250 paywall. The studio and Buyanov have since attempted to placate its community, though large groups of fans remain distrustful of Escape from Tarkov's monetization system.
The Escape from Tarkov player base has been up in arms since The Unheard edition was revealed earlier this week, with much of the community criticizing Battlestate Games for its extravagantly priced package. The widespread outcry was centered on several topics. Most notably, players who previously bought the discontinued Edge of Darkness edition for $150 were promised access to all current and upcoming DLC without additional payment, only to be disappointed when it was revealed they would not be able to play Escape from Tarkov's PvE mode without purchasing The Unheard edition. While Buyanov later granted EoD owners temporary access to Escape from Tarkov's PvE mode, the fan base was far from satisfied.
DayZ Throws Serious Shade at Escape from Tarkov
In the wake of Escape from Tarkov's controversial $250 Unheard Edition, DayZ takes the opportunity to throw some serious shade at its competitor.
Now, Buyanov released another statement to the unofficial Reddit page for Escape from Tarkov, with the Battlestate COO apologizing and claiming he did not expect such a negative reception. In response to criticisms, Buyanov additionally revealed that EoD owners would receive free and permanent access to Escape from Tarkov's PvE mode, though they would receive invites in waves to avoid overloading the servers. The director also promised additional changes for future updates, including balance adjustments for several EoD perks and official mod support for the game's cooperative PvE mode after its official launch.
Some Escape from Tarkov Fans Still Outraged
While some fans were happy with the changes, a sizable subset were still left dissatisfied, with several users even posting new forums to the subreddit accusing Buyanov of releasing a backhanded apology. They additionally expressed their disappointment with Escape from Tarkov and the developers behind the extraction shooter, with fans questioning how its creators could justify releasing a $250 package for a title still in its closed beta.
The video game community is familiar with controversial microtransactions and DLCs in the modern industry, but even then, it seems a $250 bundle is still too much for most to accept. Though the game retains a hardcore following, only time will tell if Escape from Tarkov will earn back its player base's trust, especially when several popular alternatives exist for the extraction shooter genre.
Escape from Tarkov
- Released
- November 15, 2025
WHERE TO PLAY
We have pioneered the genre of extraction shooters
Escape from Tarkov is the benchmark. This is where the mechanics of escaping from a conflict zone came into being. It isn't just PvP or PvE — it's a world where every decision impacts your survival.
Every raid is a unique scenario. You go in taking risks and come out with the spoils, or don’t come out at all.
We've rewritten the standards
Gunplay and sounds, realistic character manipulation, ballistics, advanced armor system, bleedings, fractures — this is not just another shooter game. It's a simulation of combat in extreme conditions.
1000+ models of equipment and weapons, brought as close to reality as possible. Comprehensive weapon customization: infinite combinations of sights, gadgets, and accessories to create unique builds. Character appearance customization, clothing for different seasons — all this affects the gameplay and your chances of survival.
Survival is a strategy
Everything has a price: armor, ammo, time. A mistake in a raid means losing everything. Trading, crafting, hideout, barters, skill leveling, completing tasks - these are not side objectives, they are the basis of progress.
The winner is not the one who shoots better, but the one who lives in the world of Tarkov, understands the intricacies and has a strategic advantage.
Each location means a different tactic, different pace, different risk
Factory plants, forests, city districts. No repetitiveness. You never know what awaits you in a new raid.
Night raids, bad weather, betrayals, airdrops, random extraction points, gunfights with Scavs, unique Bosses — every raid could become your last.
But after dying in a raid, you can’t give up. You learn from your mistakes and re-equip your character to try to grasp and escape from Tarkov once and for all.
- Developer(s)
- Battlestate Games
- Publisher(s)
- Battlestate Games
- Platform(s)
- PC
- Genre(s)
- Extraction Shooter, Survival
