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.