Escape from Tarkov players are in an uproar over a new $250 upgrade called The Unheard Edition, with many deeming the pack “pay-to-win” and “selfish."
The Unheard Edition of BattleState Games’ popular extraction shooter includes exclusive access to a laundry list of content, including an exclusive PvE co-op mode where progress doesn’t reset. Although the price tag without tax is steep as is, what many find offensive are the extra bonuses that the pack includes. Some notable features include expanded PMC pockets and increased Fence standing, which give buyers an edge by, for example, making NPCs less aggressive depending on player distance.
“This isn’t just perks like ‘increased stash space’ or ‘larger secure pouch,’” one Reddit user said. “This is blatant ‘you get a giant head start in front of everyone else.’
“Any other good extraction shooters out there?” they add.
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Pay-to-win is a term most multiplayer fans hope they never hear when their favorite game is being described. It suggests that Escape From Tarkov rewards players for simply spending money while punishing those who don’t, but The Unheard Edition is causing a stir for more reasons than one.
Perhaps the most controversial action might be that many players were previously led to believe they would receive all future Escape From Tarkov content for free. The now-unlisted Edge of Darkness Edition, which provided a list of other goodies for $140, previously promised that buyers would receive “free access to all subsequent DLCs.”
It’s because of this that players were livid to find that The Unheard Edition is asking for hundreds of dollars to enjoy that new PvE co-op mode. It is worth noting that some are reporting that they are only being asked to pay an additional $100 for the new pack if they already own Edge of Darkness.
Many others seem to share the same sentiment, as official Escape from Tarkov social media channels are now plagued with memes and complaints from users upset with The Unheard Edition. Its Discord is in especially bad shape. While BattleState’s moderation team quickly moved to temporarily shut down most channels, the few that remain are filled with thousands of copy-and-pasted messages from players calling BattleState’s actions “selfish,” “unacceptable,” and “disrespectful.”
“This cannot be tolerated,” part of the repeated post says.
escape from tarkov discord server rn pic.twitter.com/GFY0t7gYIz
— Verrial (@Verrial_) April 25, 2024
BattleState isn’t taking the backlash too well either. The developer’s responses began simply enough, with Lead Community Manager appl3z0r sharing an explanation for disgruntled players on Discord (via Forbes).
“It ain't DLC, its unique feature of the new edition added,” they said when describing the PvE mode.
They continued in a separate message: “DLC means additional downloadable content. PvE is a feature and a gamemode. Just because you all want it to become a DLC it wouldn't mean it is one. It’s featured game mode for the new edition of the game.”
BattleState extended this explanation on X/Twitter, telling fans that it will keep them “updated on new features exclusive for EOD owners.” Things got more complicated when the official X/Twitter account for Arena Breakout: Infinite got involved. Many have compared the Tencent-made game to Escape From Tarkov, and BattleState didn’t appreciate it when the account began to take shots after the backlash began.
Have a nice 20 minute adventure in the blatant plagiarist game. In and out pic.twitter.com/DZe3A0I8Z4
— Battlestate Games (@bstategames) April 25, 2024
With the Discord shut down and BattleState firing back at other publishers on X/Twitter, many have flocked to Reddit to air their frustrations. A pinned post on the subreddit proclaims that “the gates are open,” giving users free reign to post and complain about The Unheard Edition as they please.
“Let's start this off right - we (the mod team) are just as livid about this situation as you are,” the post says.
The Reddit page contains hundreds of popular posts from today, including accusations that The Unheard Edition’s free unique weapon isn’t so unique. Another post details an initiative that seeks to proceed with a lawsuit against BattleState.
The Escape From Tarkov woes stem from an update that BattleState published today. In addition to pulling back the curtain on The Unheard Edition, it revealed a number of changes and improvements for the experience.
IGN has reached out to BattleState for comment.
For more on Escape from Tarkov, be sure to check out why we called the shooter "brutal" in 2018.
Michael Cripe is a freelance contributor with IGN. He started writing in the industry in 2017 and is best known for his work at outlets such as The Pitch, The Escapist, OnlySP, and Gameranx.
Be sure to give him a follow on Twitter @MikeCripe.
