The latest patch from Escape From Tarkov brought a new edition, the Unheard Edition, promising a PvE mode and other perks. However, fans are furious about the hefty USD250 (RM1,195) price tag and the significant advantages it offers.
Escape From Tarkov in hot water
Exclusivity Breaches Promise, Angers Players
The biggest bone of contention is the PvE mode’s exclusivity to Unheard Edition owners. This comes despite assurances that the previously top-tier Edge of Darkness edition (USD100 or RM478) included all future DLC. Players feel deceived, forced to upgrade for the PvE experience.
Battlestate Games (BSG), the developer, justifies this by claiming the PvE mode isn’t DLC but a “unique feature” of the new edition. This distinction seems like semantics to many players, who view it as content locked behind a paywall.
Unheard Edition Perks Raise “Pay to Win” Concerns
Further frustration stems from the substantial in-game benefits offered by the Unheard Edition. While previous editions provided minor bonuses, these rarely impacted core gameplay. The Unheard Edition, however, grants advantages like increased storage space, boosted starting skills, and a bonus that makes AI Scavs non-hostile (under certain conditions). This has players crying “pay to win,” fearing those with the Unheard Edition will have a significant edge, especially at the game’s reset points (“wipes”).
Discord Silenced, Subreddit Erupts as Fans Revolt
The backlash has been fierce. The official Escape From Tarkov Discord server saw all but three channels silenced to prevent further uproar. Even moderators on the game’s subreddit relaxed their rules, admitting their anger towards the situation.
BSG Offers Compromise, But Will It Be Enough?
Faced with this intense negativity, BSG has offered a compromise through a post on their official subreddit. Edge of Darkness owners will get temporary access (six months) to the PvE mode for free. However, after this period, it reverts to being exclusive to the Unheard Edition. Whether this appeases the fans remains to be seen.
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Source: Forbes
