Escape from Tarkov Director Apologizes for PvE Controversy

Nintendo confirmed its forecast for consoles sold during the remainder of the fiscal year did not include Switch2 sales, suggesting its next console will launch later than fans had hoped. Since its ongoing development was leaked, fans have been desperately awaiting more news regarding the release date for the successor to the beloved Switch gaming console. Unfortunately, they might have to wait a little longer than previous rumors suggested.

Helldivers 2 players started a petition calling on developer Arrowhead Game Studios to rehire community manager Spitz. With the recent PlayStation Network account-linking controversy finally at an end, much of the Helldivers 2 community has begun to shift focus back to the Galactic War. However, some fans were still dismayed upon hearing of the recent dismissal of Spitz from the official Discord channel and are doing all they can to gather their fellow players in support of the former community manager.

Helldivers 2 developers are reportedly working on a new cape inspired by the account-linking controversy. While the community can breathe a sigh of relief knowing the worst of the fiasco has passed, some fans have additionally taken to sharing designs for costume accessories inspired by Helldivers 2's Steam page. Some of these designs even managed to reach the offices of developer Arrowhead Game Studios and, if one executive is to be believed, will soon hit live servers as an official cosmetic.

PlayStation has announced that it no longer plans to push the controversial Helldivers 2 PlayStation Network account-linking update. The Helldivers 2 community was rocked by controversy after it was announced that PC users would have to link their Steam account to Sony's PlayStation Network by June if they wanted to continue playing the game. However, the resulting public outcry has seemingly convinced the publisher to rescind its decision.

Helldivers 2 developers are reportedly holding internal discussions regarding its controversial PlayStation Network account linking requirements for Steam players. The Helldivers 2 community was caught in a fiery meltdown after Arrowhead Game Studios announced plans to enforce its account-linking measures months after the game was released, with players quickly flooding online forums and servers demanding an explanation from both the developers and publisher.

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, 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 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.