New Escape from Tarkov edition locks PvE, other features behind paywall

If you want to play Escape from Tarkov offline with friends, it looks like it’s going to cost you. Developer Battlestate Games announced a new special edition of the game, called The Unheard Edition, on Thursday that comes with a lot of exclusive features and content, including an offline, co-op PvE mode, for $250.

Many players have bought other editions that have granted them special features, like access to the early test server, more equipment, and a larger stash, so The Unheard Edition’s existence isn’t anything new. However, a previous edition, called Edge of Darkness, was discontinued in January, and promised that buyers would have access to all future DLC through a season pass. So the assumption among players was that the PvE mode would be considered DLC.

Lead community manager Daniel Mavlyuberdinov, who goes by the handle “appl3z0r,“ explained in the official Discord that the DLC season pass did not apply to the new PvE mode or any other features in The Unheard Edition. “DLC means additional downloadable content. PvE is a feature and a gamemode. Just because you all want it to become a DLC it wouldnt mean it is one. It’s featured game mode for the new edition of the game,” he wrote.

As to whether the PvE mode will be available for other players, Mavlyuberdinov continued that it’ll be a “unique feature” for Unheard Edition buyers, although the company will keep Edge of Darkness owners updated on new features. The message was also reiterated on X. Edge of Darkness players, who already paid $150 for their version of the game, can save some money if they want access to the PvE mode — to the tune of $100.

In addition, Tarkov players have noted The Unheard Edition will feature unique weapons and more flea market slots. Characters will also not lose progression and will have an increased starting level after a server wipe. Longtime players will remember a time without server wipes, wherein players who could collect the most loot during a run (which got added to their permanent collection) would destroy newer players. The server wipe resets everybody to the same level, so players that pay for the new bundle will have a big advantage.

The news has not been met well by the community. Fans have taken to calling the edition pay to win. Discord members have taken to copy and pasting a note that reads in part, “For 8 years, we’ve been recommending this game to friends, bringing more and more players into the community. And what was the developers’ response? They’ve blown us off, refuse to comment, and only encourage those who have lost all respect for themselves and continue to pour money in […] This cannot be tolerated.”

We’ve reached out to Battlestate Games for comment and we’ll update this story when we hear back.