Escape from Tarkov Faces Backlash Over Locked PvE Mode
Escape from Tarkov, the popular online first-person shooter, has found itself in hot water after giving select players access to a previously locked PvE mode. This mode, along with other pay-to-win mechanics, could only be unlocked by purchasing the Unheard Edition for a hefty €250.
Long-time fans of the game were quick to voice their discontent, accusing developer Battlestate Games of introducing pay-to-win elements and gating content behind a paywall. In response to the backlash, Battlestate Games decided to backtrack on their initial decision and extend the PvE mode access to some players who own other versions of the game. However, not everyone has been granted access yet, as server capacity remains an issue.
COO of Battlestate Games, Nikita Buyanov, addressed the community feedback on Reddit, stating, “I am extremely sorry that fans and the entire gaming community are experiencing these feelings. Unfortunately, I somehow did not foresee the fact that this reaction was happening, and now I have come to that conclusion for my future decisions.”
While the Unheard Edition is still available for purchase, Battlestate Games is working on balancing the perks and gear included to better align with the overall game experience. Moving forward, the developer has promised to take the backlash into consideration when planning future content updates for Escape from Tarkov.