The highly anticipated extraction shooter, Escape From Tarkov, is finally making its way to Steam, but with a significant caveat. Players who already own the game will be required to purchase it again if they wish to access it through the Steam platform.
Developer Battlestate Games clarified these details in a recent Steam FAQ, outlining how the game will integrate with Steam, which features it will support, and the process for existing owners. The straightforward answer is that those who bought Escape From Tarkov directly from Battlestate Games’ launcher or website will not automatically gain access to the Steam version. Instead, they must buy an edition of the game on Steam.
(A video related to Escape From Tarkov was previously embedded here.)
Once the Steam purchase is made, players can then link their Battlestate Games account. This linking process will transfer their previously owned game edition, profile, and character data to their new Steam-based experience. Regardless of whether it’s a new purchase or a repurchase, all players will still need a Battlestate account to play the game.
This news has understandably caused disappointment among existing players. Many had hoped for a simple account linking solution, similar to what other developers like those behind Dark and Darker and Path of Exile 2 have offered when bringing their direct-purchase games to Steam. However, Battlestate Games has opted to charge for the convenience of launching Escape From Tarkov through Steam.
While the exact Steam pricing remains undisclosed, the standard edition of the game currently sells for $50 on its official website. Given that premium editions can range from $100 to a controversial $250, the decision to resell the Steam version to current owners has sparked considerable frustration within the game’s community.
The FAQ also confirmed that Escape From Tarkov will support Steam achievements and Steam friends. However, it will not be compatible with Steam Deck, Steam Workshop, or Steam Family Sharing. The game is set to launch on Steam on November 15, marking its official departure from eight years of beta with the release of its 1.0 update. While pre-orders are not yet available, interested players can currently add it to their Steam wishlist, though no pre-download is planned.
(An image gallery titled “The Best Shooters To Play In 2025” was previously embedded here.)