Video Games News

Home

Quizzes

Newsletter

- Image from Escape from Tarkov courtesy of Battlestate Games

Escape from Tarkov Is Finally Coming to Steam—Here’s What Players Need to Know

Originally posted on Total Apex Gaming | By Mollie Dominy | Last updated Sep 4, 2025 6:37 PM ET

After nearly a decade of beta purgatory, Escape from Tarkov is officially gearing up for its 1.0 release—and Battlestate Games just confirmed it’s coming to Steam. That’s right: the extraction shooter that practically defined the genre is finally putting on its big-boy pants and stepping into the mainstream storefront it’s avoided for years.

Studio head Nikita Buyanov teased the move with a tweet and a screenshot of the Steam page-in-progress, saying, “Yes! The page on Steam will be available soon. All the details later.” Which is classic Tarkov energy—vague, chaotic, and somehow still hype.

From Closed Alpha to Steam Page: A Timeline That Feels Like a Fever Dream

Let’s rewind for context:

Escape from Tarkov started development in 2012—the same year Star Citizen was announced.
It launched into closed alpha in 2016, just two days after Fortnite dropped.
It’s been exclusive to Battlestate’s own launcher ever since, with no Steam presence and no official release date—until now.
Version 1.0 is scheduled to land on November 15, 2025, and the Steam page is expected to go live shortly before that.

That’s over 400 updates, countless wipes, and a playerbase that’s been through everything from game-breaking bugs to economy resets to devs telling critics to “eat bag of d*cks”. Tarkov’s journey has been messy, but undeniably influential.

What Players Want to Know: Will Progress Transfer?

The Steam release is exciting, but it’s also raising serious questions:

Will existing players be able to migrate their accounts to Steam?
Will they need to repurchase the game to access it on Steam?
Will progress, gear, and unlocks carry over—or is this a fresh start?

Battlestate hasn’t answered any of that yet. And given the studio’s history of cryptic communication and sudden pivots, players are bracing for anything from seamless integration to “buy it again and start over.”

Steam Reviews, Visibility, and the Inevitable Review Bombing

Image from Escape From Tarkov courtesy of Battlestate Games

Tarkov’s arrival on Steam isn’t just a storefront shift—it’s a visibility overhaul. The game will be exposed to a broader audience, a new wave of reviews, and a fresh round of scrutiny. And let’s be honest: the Steam review section is going to be a warzone.

Longtime players with thousands of hours logged outside Steam may flood the page with criticism.
New players will walk into a brutal learning curve and a community that’s equal parts helpful and hostile.
Any monetization missteps or technical hiccups will be magnified tenfold.

It’s a risky move—but also a necessary one. Steam gives Tarkov the infrastructure, reach, and legitimacy it’s been missing. And with Arc Raiders and The Finals breathing down its neck, the timing couldn’t be more strategic.

Final Thoughts: Tarkov’s Steam Debut Is Long Overdue—But Don’t Expect a Smooth Ride

Escape from Tarkov is finally stepping into the light, and the Steam release marks a major milestone for a game that’s spent nearly a decade in beta. But this isn’t a victory lap—it’s a stress test. Between account migration questions, community backlash, and the looming 1.0 launch, Battlestate has a lot to prove.

If they get it right, Tarkov could cement its legacy as the extraction shooter blueprint. If they fumble the rollout, well… the Steam reviews will speak for themselves.

Either way, November’s going to be loud.

This article first appeared on Total Apex Gaming and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: