Escape From Tarkov Steam Launch Angers Players With Repurchase Requirement

Escape from Tarkov, the notoriously challenging tactical extraction shooter that’s been in early access since 2017, is finally preparing to launch its long-awaited 1.0 version on November 15, 2025. With the milestone release comes another big change: the game will officially arrive on Steam.

Yet what should have been a moment of celebration has instead turned into a storm of controversy, as developer Battlestate Games confirmed that players will need to repurchase the game if they want to play it through Valve’s platform – even if they’ve owned it for years via the studio’s bespoke launcher.

The official FAQ is blunt: “To play Escape from Tarkov through Steam, you must purchase any edition of the game on Steam.” It further explains that users can link their Battlestate Games account to Steam, and if the editions differ, the system will recognize the higher-tier one. This means a player with the $120 Edge of Darkness edition linked to a $30 Standard Steam purchase will still access the premium features. But to many veterans, that clarification only deepens the sting. After all, why should they pay again just to use Steam’s launcher, achievements, or review system when the accounts are already linked?

Predictably, fan response has been harsh. Some describe the move as “scummy” and “disrespectful,” pointing out that other studios, such as those behind Path of Exile 2, handed out Steam keys to existing players without demanding a second purchase. The ability to link accounts and seamlessly use the higher edition is exactly why this feels exploitative to many. Players argue they’re not actually buying the game again – they’re just paying a fee for the privilege of clicking a different icon.

One of the loudest concerns centers around reviews. For years, disgruntled Tarkov veterans have wanted a public space like Steam to voice their frustrations, especially after contentious updates like July’s Hardcore Wipe, which slowed progression, toughened difficulty, and removed certain quests and maps. However, you can’t leave a Steam review without owning the game on that platform. Critics argue this policy effectively silences the most experienced players, leaving reviews in the hands of newcomers who’ll see Tarkov fresh at 1.0, rather than with years of baggage.

Not everyone agrees with the outrage. Some argue the situation isn’t as dramatic as it seems. After all, the game remains fully playable on the existing Battlestate launcher – no one is losing access. They compare it to buying a new console: your PlayStation discs won’t suddenly work on Xbox, even though it’s technically the same game. Others accuse gamers of being entitled, suggesting no one is “owed” a free Steam version just because they bought in earlier. For these players, repurchasing is optional, not mandatory.

Yet there’s another layer of criticism that goes beyond pricing. A portion of the community raises ethical questions, pointing to the developer’s alleged ties to the Russian military-industrial complex and claims of pro-Kremlin messaging. To these critics, the forced repurchase isn’t just about consumer rights but about funneling more money to a company they accuse of exploiting players while holding questionable political connections. Whether or not these claims hold weight, they’ve added fuel to an already heated debate.

Supporters of Battlestate counter that outrage has become the default mode of Tarkov’s community, which has earned a reputation for toxicity. They note that if the studio handed out free Steam keys, the review section might instantly be flooded with negative feedback from lapsed players who haven’t touched the game in years but still hold grudges. In their eyes, Battlestate is protecting its launch and ensuring reviews reflect the game as it exists today, not years of accumulated resentment.

Still, the optics are hard to ignore. Escape from Tarkov is a game built on loyalty, with a hardcore fan base that has stuck through constant wipes, brutal difficulty, and a seven-year wait for 1.0. Many see the lack of goodwill gestures – like even a discount for existing owners – as another example of Battlestate Games failing to respect its most dedicated supporters. And while technically players can add Tarkov to their Steam library as a non-Steam game shortcut, this doesn’t grant achievements, reviews, or community features – the very things that make Steam integration appealing.

In the end, the controversy highlights a growing tension in gaming: when a long-running early access title finally steps into the mainstream, how should developers treat the veterans who funded and tested it all those years? For Tarkov, the answer, at least for now, is clear: if you want Steam, you’ll have to pay again. Whether players accept that trade-off or continue to rage against it will become obvious the moment Tarkov’s 1.0 reviews start appearing.