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Key Takeaways
- Escape from Tarkov fans are labeling the game's new $250 Unheard Edition as "pay to win" and a "betrayal of player trust".
- Despite promises that the old Edge of Darkness Edition would include future DLC, the Unheard Edition includes a new PvE mode.
- Various in-game bonuses are also included in the edition, including improved skills upon starting a wipe, and the ability to stop AI scavs from attacking.
It's not very often that you can get Escape from Tarkov fans rallying around a common cause, but developer Battlestate Games has managed to do just that with the recent reveal of the Unheard Edition, announced alongside the game's latest patch. Setting players back a pretty whopping $250, Battlestate has come under fire for locking away an exclusive new PvE game mode, as well as several gameplay-related perks, behind the special edition.
One of the bigger controversies surrounding the edition at the moment (thanks Forbes) revolves around this new PvE mode, which essentially lets you play Escape from Tarkov offline or cooperatively with some friends. It's not something to be mad about out of context, but Tarkov players have accused the mode of being a "betrayal of player trust", as the old Edge of Darkness Edition promised players all future DLC as part of its season pass.
Players believe that this PvE mode, which is locked behind the Unheard Edition, should have been included with the Edge of Darkness edition, but Battlestate decided to be cute with the language it used. According to a post from Lead Community Manager appl3z0r on the game's Discord server, Battlestate doesn't consider the mode DLC, but rather a "feature" for the new special edition. That's the official explanation why the mode hasn't been included, and players will now have to upgrade if they want it, which will set them back a cool $100.
Tarkov Players Are Also Calling The Edition "Pay To Win"
If that wasn't enough to get the blood of every Escape from Tarkov player boiling, then the Unheard Edition's special gameplay perks have finished the job. In the edition's announcement trailer, it's also revealed that people who get it will receive some in-game bonuses that give them a gameplay advantage unlike any others seen in special editions before, and as a game with a pretty high skill ceiling, every little bit counts.
Not only do players who buy the Unheard Edition get an increased stash to store loot, but they also get improved skills upon starting a wipe, as well as the ability to stop AI scavs from shooting at them if they have over six reputation levels with Fence. On top of the new PvE mode, which players are being locked out of until they pay up, you can begin to see why players are starting boycotts and labeling the edition as "brutally P2W". Hopefully, Battlestate addresses the issue sooner rather than later.
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