Special Edition of Escape from Tarkov Includes Exclusive Mode for €250

The hardcore survival shooter Escape from Tarkov has introduced a new Special Edition priced at €250, called the Unheard Edition, inciting dismay among its player base. This edition boasts an exclusive co-op PvE mode, which has become a contentious point, especially for owners of the previous Edge of Darkness Edition, who were promised free access to all future downloadable content (DLC) upon their purchase at €150. The developer Battlestate Games has stated via Discord that a game mode does not classify as DLC. However, an upgrade from the Edge of Darkness to the Unheard Edition is available, at an additional cost of €120.

Additionally, the Unheard Edition includes unique in-game weapons and benefits like increased stash size and more flea market slots, which players are criticizing as contributing to a 'pay-to-win' scenario. While the developer has offered exclusive content in the past, the move has sparked a debate on the definition of DLC and raised concerns over game monetization tactics.

The Unheard Edition of Escape from Tarkov includes an exclusive co-op PvE mode, unique weapons, increased stash size, additional slots for the in-game flea market, and other in-game items which the community has concerns about for being 'pay-to-win'.

Escape from Tarkov, developed by Russian studio Battlestate Games, is known for its immersive, realistic gameplay centered around multiplayer raid scenarios within a fictional Russian city. The game prides itself on detailed gun mechanics, a complex health system, and hardcore survival elements, alongside in-depth inventory management and combat strategies. Initially announced in 2015, the game has been in a state of 'beta' for several years, garnering a dedicated following intrigued by its steep learning curve, realism, and intense PvP (player versus player) elements.