Escape From Tarkov Dev’s ‘Shameless’ Controversy Response Called Out By Fans and Esports Company
Escape From Tarkov developer Battlestate Games is facing significant backlash from fans and the esports community over its response to the recent controversy surrounding a $250 expansion. The community erupted after the announcement of the Unheard Edition upgrade, which was not included in the Season Pass of the $150 Edge of Darkness edition. This sparked accusations of a “pay-to-win” model and triggered immense dissatisfaction among players.
Nik Buyanov, Battlestate’s COO and studio head, took to Reddit to address the situation. He stated that owners of the Edge of Darkness edition would gain access to the new mode upon the full launch of Escape From Tarkov but were unable to do so due to server capacity issues. He also mentioned that players could test the new mode by purchasing the Unheard edition, with a 50% discount offered to Edge of Darkness edition owners. This response, however, fell short of appeasing the community and instead fueled further disappointment and criticism.
Players expressed their frustration with Battlestate’s comments, deeming them insincere and dismissive. The wording of the statement was seen as a “fake apology,” failing to acknowledge the concerns raised by the community. Many players voiced their disappointment, emphasizing the need for genuine remorse and accountability from the developer.
The controversy escalated when Evasion GG, the first Escape From Tarkov esports team and a host of over 200 tournaments for the game, took to Twitter to condemn Battlestate’s practices. They accused the company of control issues, nepotism, and other problematic behaviors. Evasion GG announced their decision to refrain from organizing any more Tarkov events until they witnessed significant changes within the studio.
The negative sentiment expressed by fans and esports partners highlights the growing dissatisfaction with Battlestate’s handling of the situation. The community’s reaction has prompted discussions about broken promises and the company’s request for additional funds for a game that is still in beta. The response from Battlestate has been labeled as “shameless” and has further strained the already frayed relationship between the developer and its player base.
IGN has reached out to Battlestate Games for comment on these allegations and the community backlash, but no response has been received at the time of writing.
Escape From Tarkov’s subreddit is currently inundated with posts reflecting the community’s disappointment. Many users are expressing their discontent by sharing screenshots of uninstalling the game and cautioning others not to fall for the developer’s apology. The criticism has been further amplified by Evasion GG’s revelations about the company’s treatment of smaller event organizers and the negative impact on the player base.
As the controversy continues to unfold, the future of Escape From Tarkov remains uncertain. Battlestate Games faces the challenge of rebuilding trust and addressing the concerns raised by the community. The response from the studio will be pivotal in determining its ability to regain the support and loyalty it has lost.
Sources:
IGN. “Escape From Tarkov Dev’s ‘Shameless’ Controversy Response Called Out By Fans and Esports Company.” Retrieved from: https://www.ign.com/articles/escape-from-tarkov-devs-shameless-controversy-response-called-out-by-fans-and-esports-company
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