Escape from Tarkov followers have criticized Battlestate Video games after the developer confirmed gamers shall be required to repurchase the total recreation if they need to play it on Steam.
The tactical extraction shooter launched in early entry again in 2017 and lately confirmed it is lastly transferring to model 1.0 on November 15, 2025. Alongside aspect the 1.0 launch, Escape from Tarkov is lastly coming to Steam.
Nevertheless, a fast research of Escape from Tarkov’s FAQs reveals that even those that’ve been taking part in the shooter by means of its bespoke launcher for years “should buy” the sport once more in the event that they’d like to add it to their Steam libraries.
“To play Escape from Tarkov by means of Steam, you should buy any version of the sport on Steam,” the FAQ explains. “You’ll be able to then hyperlink your present Battlestate Video games account with an lively copy of the sport to your Steam profile. If the editions differ, it should robotically use the upper version of the 2 when launching the sport by means of Steam.”
Whereas gamers will proceed to have the opportunity to play by way of Battlestate’s personal launcher, some followers have slammed the developer for not offering free Steam keys, notably as each Steam and launcher gamers will share the identical servers, and all gamers, no matter platform, require a Battlestate account.
“There aren’t any excuses for getting an additional Steam copy simply to play from an present account,” said one participant. “The developer has the instruments to hand out Steam keys to gamers who already personal the sport exterior Steam because the builders of Path of Exile 2 did and so forth.”
“That is fairly scummy,” one participant wrote, whereas one other said: “Holy s**t. BSG has completely zero respect for his or her followers.”
One comment that has had tons of of upvotes stated: “it could be cheap if there WASN’T account linking that befell, [or] if you happen to purchased on Steam, you had to register as a model new account with no matter model you bought. The reality you could hyperlink an present account and it robotically upgrades to the upper model is what does not sit proper with me. You drop $30 for the Customary Version simply to hyperlink and improve to your $120 [Edge of Darkness edition]? You are simply shopping for in to play your account on Steam at that time.”
“There’s droves of people that have been ready for years to have a spot to put their grievances the place it would truly matter to achieve this,” suggested one participant. “Little question, the second that gamers have the chance to go away a Steam evaluation, they are going to. Nevertheless, you’ll be able to’t go away a Steam evaluation on a recreation you do not personal. Subsequently, any of the various long-time gamers which were repeatedly burned by [the developer] aren’t seemingly to spend any more cash on his canine**t. Subsequently, the one critiques shall be from new gamers that get the total 1.0 expertise, with out all of the years of disappointment behind it.”
“I do not get why folks act stunned abruptly,” said another person. “And figuring out how poisonous and hateful this neighborhood has change into over time, in the event that they handed free keys to everybody, the critiques would immediately get thrown right into a s**tstorm of hate even from individuals who have not performed in a couple of years.”
Others are reminding these upset gamers that anybody can add non-Steam games to their Steam library, though, clearly, that is only a shortcut and does not unlock any Steam options like achievements. The developer has but to reply publicly to the backlash.
Players had been equally sad when July’s Hardcore Wipe launched huge modifications to the sport, buffing the problem and eradicating quests and maps. This wipe was notably brutal as Tarkov additionally now boasts slower development and harder issue, making it more durable for gamers to get better their pre-wipe standing and stock.
Vikki Blake is a reporter for IGN, in addition to a critic, columnist, and marketing consultant with 15+ years expertise working with among the world’s greatest gaming websites and publications. She’s additionally a Guardian, Spartan, Silent Hillian, Legend, and perpetually Excessive Chaos. Discover her at BlueSky.