According to Wccftech, Escape from Tarkov has launched its long-awaited 1.0 version on Steam with a 15% discount running through Saturday, November 29. Game Director Nikita Buyanov confirmed the studio is considering a console port and would implement full controller support, calling it a “very serious and interesting game design challenge.” The game is also available on the official website with a 10% discount on all editions and a 30% discount for The Unheard Edition during the same timeframe. A new Twitch Drops campaign runs through December 6 at 11:30 GMT, offering unboxable containers with various rarity items. Beta test participants and pre-order customers receive permanent in-game rewards that won’t be deleted during profile resets.
The controller problem is real
Here’s the thing – Tarkov‘s control scheme is arguably one of the most complex in modern gaming. We’re talking about separate keys for leaning, multiple inventory management actions, precise medical treatment, and weapon manipulation that would make a real special forces operator sweat. Squeezing all that onto a controller without turning it into a button-mashing nightmare? That’s not just a challenge, it’s basically redesigning the entire game’s interaction layer from scratch.
Don’t hold your breath
And let’s be real about the timeline. Buyanov said they haven’t even started working on this yet. This is the same studio that took years to reach what they’re calling a 1.0 release. A console port isn’t just about controls either – there’s certification, platform-specific optimization, and the whole business of dealing with Sony and Microsoft. I’d be shocked if we see this before 2026, if at all.
PC remains the priority
Look at where the discounts and promotions are focused – Steam and their own website. The Twitch Drops campaign? That’s pure PC gaming culture. The studio knows their audience and where their revenue comes from. A console version feels like distant future planning rather than an immediate priority. Which honestly makes sense – why would you divert resources from your core platform when you’ve just hit a major milestone?
But is it even possible?
Can Tarkov’s hardcore simulation elements truly translate to a console experience without losing what makes it special? Games like Hunt: Showdown have managed a decent balance, but Tarkov operates on another level of complexity entirely. The inventory management alone would require a complete UI overhaul. Maybe they’ll surprise us, but I’m deeply skeptical about maintaining that signature Tarkov feel with thumbsticks instead of a mouse and keyboard.
