Escape from Tarkov is finally making the leap out of early access. After nine years of testing and wipes, Battlestate Games is pushing the long-awaited 1.0 release on 15 November 2025, and this time it’s coming to Steam. But there’s a catch: if you want to play it there, you’ll have to buy it again.
Escape from Tarkov release date trailer
The news surfaced through streamer Jake Lucky on X and was later confirmed in Battlestate’s official FAQ. Players who already own the game through the Battlestate launcher will not get automatic Steam access. Instead, to run Escape from Tarkov via Valve’s platform, you’ll need to purchase any edition on Steam first.
There is one saving grace – you can link your existing Battlestate account once you’ve bought the Steam version. This means you won’t lose your progress. If your editions differ, the higher one will be prioritised when launching through Steam.
Of course, nothing forces you to double-dip. The Battlestate launcher will continue to work just fine. But for those who like keeping everything under one roof on Steam, it stings.
Regardless, the bigger story is that Escape from Tarkov is finally hitting its 1.0 milestone. After nearly a decade in early access, the extraction shooter is ready for its next chapter.
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