After years of brutal raids, endless wipes, and countless balance passes, Escape from Tarkov has finally stepped out of early access and into a full 1.0 release on Steam. For a game that helped define the modern extraction looter shooter, this launch feels less like a simple version number bump and more like a milestone for the entire genre.
To mark the occasion, Game Director Nikita Buyanov has been talking about what comes next for Battlestate Games’ hardcore shooter – and one topic keeps coming up again and again: consoles and controller support.
Console Port Is on the Table – but Not Tomorrow
Buyanov confirms that the studio is actively considering bringing Escape from Tarkov to consoles. 
There is no secret build in development yet and no hidden release window; the team hasn’t even started doing the technical groundwork. But the intention is there, and that alone is a big deal for a game that has long been seen as a PC-only experience.
Given how long it took Tarkov to reach its 1.0 release, players shouldn’t expect a console port to appear overnight. Battlestate is known for iterating slowly and obsessively, and a faithful translation of Tarkov’s complexity to a gamepad is going to require exactly that kind of patience.
The Controller Problem: Turning a Keyboard Game into a Gamepad Game
Buyanov calls full controller support a “very serious and interesting game design challenge”, and he’s not exaggerating. Tarkov is packed with layered mechanics: detailed inventory management, multiple movement speeds, stance adjustments, weapon inspection and maintenance, ammo checks, complex healing, and a surprisingly deep communication system. On a keyboard and mouse, those systems sprawl across an entire layout of keys and hotkeys. On a controller with a limited number of buttons, every action needs to be rethought.
The team’s goal, according to Buyanov, would be to create controls that feel comfortable without dumbing the game down. That likely means smart use of modifier buttons, context-sensitive inputs, radial menus, and perhaps even custom profiles so players can tune the experience to their own style. For a title that built its reputation on depth and granularity, finding that balance between accessibility and authenticity will be crucial.
Why Console Players Care So Much
The idea of Tarkov on consoles is especially exciting because the extraction looter shooter space is still relatively small. While several games have tried to chase the formula, many fans still regard Tarkov as the original benchmark – the ruthless, unforgiving template that others imitate. A potential console release would finally open that experience to players who have only watched raids on Twitch or YouTube up to now.
Even on PC, full controller support would be a welcome addition. Some players simply prefer the feel of a gamepad on the couch, and others rely on controllers for accessibility reasons. Being able to clear a raid from the comfort of a living room setup, without sacrificing the tactical depth Tarkov is known for, could broaden the game’s audience in a meaningful way.
Launch Discounts, Rewards, and Twitch Drops
Alongside the 1.0 launch, Battlestate Games is running several promotions. On Steam, Escape from Tarkov is temporarily discounted, giving curious newcomers a cheaper entry point into the notoriously punishing shooter. On the official website, all editions are also on sale, with the premium Unheard Edition receiving the biggest price cut.
Veterans who supported the game during its long beta period aren’t being forgotten either. Exclusive in-game rewards are being distributed to beta participants and players who pre-ordered, and Battlestate has confirmed that these items are permanent. They won’t be wiped during future profile resets, preserving a small badge of honor for those who backed Tarkov early.
The launch also coincides with a fresh wave of Twitch Drops. Viewers who tune into streams in the Escape from Tarkov category during the campaign window can periodically earn containers filled with randomly rolled loot of varying rarity. Importantly, items obtained from these drops will survive even after a full profile wipe, giving both veteran grinders and new recruits a good reason to keep a stream running in the background while they gear up for their next raid.
Escape from Tarkov’s 1.0 release doesn’t mean the end of development – if anything, it feels like the beginning of a new chapter. With a console port now openly on the horizon and controller support framed as a major design priority, the extraction looter shooter that helped define the genre may soon be ready to step out of its PC stronghold and into living rooms worldwide.
1 comment
been watching this game sit in “beta” for what feels like half my life, kinda wild to finally see 1.0 on steam