Escape from Tarkov’s Controversial $267 PvE Mode Will at Least Be Given for Free to Edge of Darkness Owners

wccftech.com:

Escape from Tarkov, arguably the game that popularized the extraction shooter genre, recently got itself embroiled in a huge controversy once again.

Russian studio Battlestate Games announced a new edition of the game, now available for pre-order at the whopping price of $267. The so-called Unheard Edition will include access to a brand new PvE co-operative mode with persistent progression, in addition to the following items:

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• Enhanced stash size (10x72)
• Unique in-game ID
• Expanded PMC pockets
• Increased Fence standing
• More slots on the Flea Market
• Unique in-game melee weapon
• Increased mail retention time
• Additional background screen option
• Free access to all subsequent DLCs (Season pass)
• Access to the Early Test Server (ETS)
• Additional equipment and resources in the stash

However, the announcement proved extremely controversial. Not only is Battlestate Games planning to gate the PvE co-op mode behind the Unheard Edition, locking away everyone else in a baffling choice, but they also asked owners of the previously most expensive edition (called Edge of Darkness) to pay $100 to access the PvE mode. That is despite Battlestate's original promise that the Edge of Darkness edition would include all future DLC made for Escape from Tarkov.

Following the negative feedback, the developers have now promised to provide all Edge of Darkness owners access to the PvE mode. Game Director Nikita Buyanov wrote on Reddit:

At this stage, it is not possible to launch all players who are EoD holders - right now, we simply do not have the required amount of resources for this. We observe your dissatisfaction and have decided that the functionality of the PvE mode will be available for free to all owners of the EoD version at the release of the game, when the server infrastructure will be improved to the required capacity.

Now, you have the opportunity to test this mode by purchasing the Unheard