Battlestate Games, the studio behind Escape From Tarkov, recently announced the “Unheard Edition” of the game which would include early access to a new co-op mode where players can fight AI enemies together offline. However, many felt this locked existing players who owned the previous top tier “Edge of Darkness Edition” out of new content they expected to receive.
In response, Battlestate said Escape From Tarkov’s Edge of Darkness owners would get six months of access to the mode, but fans were still unhappy about eventual restrictions. Now, the developers have walked back their stance even further. In a statement on the game’s subreddit, Battlestate COO Nikita Buyanov said all Edge of Darkness owners will have permanent free access to the PvE mode when it launches.
Battlestate Listens to Player Feedback

Buyanov acknowledged fans’ frustrations, noting the studio simply did not have the server resources to support the mode for all players immediately. However, Battlestate now understands how the mode relates to previous promises of future content inclusion with the Edge of Darkness Edition. As such, all who purchased that tier will be able to enjoy the co-op experience without any time limits or costs once the necessary infrastructure is in place.
While some are still criticizing certain elements of how Battlestate communicated their plans, most seem pleased that the developers paid attention to the community’s desires for fair treatment of existing players. How Battlestate continues supporting Escape From Tarkov in both the live game and new modes going forward will likely determine whether trust with its fanbase is fully restored.