After facing backlash from the community, the developers of Escape From Tarkov have decided to offer the new PvE mode to owners of the Edge of Darkness edition once the game hits 1.0, despite initially only making it available to those who purchased the new $250 Unheard Edition. The Unheard Edition had faced criticism for offering bonuses that were seen as pay-to-win, but the main issue was with the locked PvE mode.
Initially, Edge of Darkness edition owners were promised access to all future DLC for free, but were then told they would need to purchase the new Unheard Edition to permanently unlock the PvE mode. Following further outrage, the decision seems to have been reversed, with all Edge of Darkness owners now set to receive access to the PvE mode upon the game’s full launch.
Game director Nikita Buyanov announced on Reddit that the PvE mode will be made available to all Edge of Darkness owners when the game leaves beta and reaches 1.0. There is currently no confirmed release date for this, but the developers have previously stated they are aiming for a full launch this year. Buyanov acknowledged the dissatisfaction of the fans and stated that the server infrastructure needs to be improved before they can offer the new mode to all EoD owners.
Edge of Darkness owners who wish to play the PvE mode now have the option to upgrade to the Unheard Edition at a 50% discount. Those who have already upgraded at full price will be given a key for the Left Behind Edition, which can be used for a new account. Additionally, the team plans to introduce a microtransaction that will allow any Tarkov owner to unlock the PvE mode, providing a more affordable option for players with the standard edition.
Despite the previous controversy, Buyanov maintained that the new PvE mode is not considered DLC by their standards. He explained that DLC, in their understanding, refers to major additions to the game released after the official launch, while the PvE mode is planned to be free content for Edge of Darkness owners post-1.0 launch. This move to offer the mode as a free addition after launch may help ease tensions with the fan base, although some players have already expressed their reluctance to return to Tarkov in light of the recent issues.
