Battlestate Games founder Nikita Buyanov put a provocative choice to followers on January 2: should Escape from Tarkov’s PvE mode be made free, or should it be deleted entirely? His quick poll attracted roughly 30,000 votes and a clear leaning toward freedom over removal.
The most popular option, chosen by about 54.6% of respondents, was to make PvE free. The second option, to delete PvE, drew roughly 28.8% of the vote. The poll followed a critical post from a player who said they had refunded Tarkov after discovering the PvE mode is a paid bolt-on rather than a free addition.
Buyanov framed the post as a bit of fun; he followed up by saying the poll was a joke and that PvE isn’t going anywhere. He also shared a short post that read “this is it” on X; the original post is available on X.
this is it
— Nikita Buyanov (@nikgeneburn) January 2, 2026
Despite the online heat, the development plan for Tarkov continues to include PvE work. Battlestate is expanding PvE across the franchise, with plans to introduce a PvE mode in Escape from Tarkov: Arena so players who want to avoid player-versus-player stress have an option.
The PvE debate has been ongoing since the mode first appeared in June 2024. For readers wondering whether the PvE experience is worth their time, see our closer look at the mode and how it plays compared with Tarkov’s core PvP systems: our PvE breakdown. Whether Battlestate makes the mode free, keeps it paid, or does something else, the community reaction on January 2 underlined how divided players remain about PvE in a franchise built around PvP intensity.
Follow updates and discussion about Tarkov with CPG on X, Bluesky, YouTube, and Instagram.
Escape from Tarkov
Developed by Battlestate Games
