Star Wars Outlaws devs say the game's reputation system is designed to shape the world around protagonist Kay Vess, rather than the story that you're playing through.
26.04.2024 - 13:45 / gamesradar.com / Ali Jones
The developer of extraction shooter Escape from Tarkov says that everyone can have access to the controversial new mode that's locked behind a paywall - but only for six months.
Escape from Tarkov is currently embroiled in a drama caused by the game's newly-announced $250 'Unheard Edition'. For that substantial price tag, Unheard Edition offers an enhanced stash, a unique weapon, and more slots on the in-game market. All that's enough for it to be blasted as a 'pay to win' experience, but what really got the community aflame was the introduction of a new offline PvE game mode which would be exclusive to Unheard.
Particularly aggrieved are the owners of the game's old Edge of Darkness (EOD) edition. Now delisted, that version of Escape from Tarkov bundled together older content and DLC, but players who bought into it wouldn't be getting any of the Unheard Edition bonuses. Last night, Tarkov devs insisted that's because the Unheard Edition content isn't DLC, but it wasn't enough to prevent community uproar.
This morning, it looks like the developer is attempting to walk things back. Battlestate Games COO Nikita Buyanov took to Reddit, explaining that "to honor the owners of EOD version and their indelible importance and role in the EFT universe, we plan to add the following new unique features to the EOD edition." As well as some unique cosmetics, those players will get their insured items back faster, be able to skip two daily quests per day at no cost, receive a new quest line, and gain improvements to their charisma, PMC karma, and personal trader buying limits. Perhaps most notable, they'll get six months of high priority matchmaking, as well as six months of access to the Unheard Edition's offline PvE mode.
Unfortunately, it seems like this attempt to put out the community fire has only fueled it further. EOD players have access to new DLC in perpetuity, and while Battlestate is adamant that offline PvE is "a feature and a game mode" and isn't DLC, players aren't buying that definition, and six months' access doesn't make it better. To make matters worse, Battlestate is also being accused of attempting to address 'pay to win' concerns by offering even more advantages to a paid-for, enhanced edition that's not even available to purchase anymore.
At time of writing, that Reddit thread is sitting at zero upvotes and 2,400 comments, which is surely a sign of a healthy, happy community. Subreddit moderators have waded in to tell commenters to behave, with the powerful stance of "I've got better things to do today than ban a load of children who cannot disagree with something without throwing childish insults around." It'll be a fun weekend for the Battlestate community managers.
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Star Wars Outlaws devs say the game's reputation system is designed to shape the world around protagonist Kay Vess, rather than the story that you're playing through.
While backlash to recent decisions from extraction shooter has caused some players to jump ship, even popular alternatives have pressing issues of their own. Released in 2017,, developed by Battlestate Games, was one of the original pioneers of the popular PvPvE extraction shooter genre – which continues to grow with big names like Bungie reviving its series in the space – and swiftly gained popularity for its unique gameplay and unforgiving mechanics. Despite several controversial decisions and ongoing problems, however, the game has mostly managed to retain its relative popularity.
Escape From Tarkov rival Gray Zone Warfare has proved a Steam hit after selling 400,000 copies in two days.
Escape from Tarkov, arguably the game that popularized the extraction shooter genre, recently got itself embroiled in a huge controversy once again.
Escape From Tarkov developer Battlestate Games has been called "shameless" and "tone deaf" over its response to controversy caused by a $250 expansion, with fans and even its esports associate calling out the studio.
Escape from Tarkov has come under fire over the last week for its $250 Unheard Edition which includes an exclusive PvE mode. Anger has been bubbling on the subreddit, and it's gotten so bad that even Helldivers 2 is in on the drama.
The Escape From Tarkov developers' efforts to escape from a DLC paywall quagmire of their own quagmiring continue with an update and apology from Battlestate chief operational officer Nikita Buyanov, who says he "did not foresee" the adverse reaction to selling a new PvE mode as part of a new special edition, after telling purchasers of a previous edition they'd get "all subsequent DLC" for free.
The studio behind Escape from Tarkov has attempted to partially U-turn on its plans to add a PvE mode exclusively to a new $250 edition of the game, but players continue to express anger.
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.
Escape From Tarkov developers have announced that the upcoming PvE mode, previously paywalled behind a premium $250 edition of the shooter, will be available to all players when the game exits its nearly eight-year-long beta period.
Martin Hultberg - once the director behind Ubisoft's looting, shooting The Division - now has his eyes on the fledgling get-in-and-go extraction shooter genre, which he reckons can still reach the "mass market."
Escape From Tarkov's developer has responded to players having conniptions due to the release of a new $250 Unheard edition of the game. In an update shared on Reddit, Battlestate Games studio head doubled down on their view that a new co-op PvE mode is not DLC, but does say that other players can have it when Escape From Tarkov is finished... whenever that is.