Gray Zone Warfare launches amid Escape from Tarkov backlash

Escape from Tarkov has defined the extraction shooter genre for years, but its top billing is in jeopardy. Over the last week, developer Battlestate Games damaged its relationship with its most loyal players. Moreover, other titles like Gray Zone Warfare from Madfinger Games (out today, April 30) are giving outraged players alternatives.

Escape from Tarkov burns goodwill

Battlestate Games’ mess began last week when it announced a brand new $250 edition of Escape from Tarkov. The Unheard Edition initially featured an exclusive PvE mode, priority matchmaking for six months and bonus items that skirt the line of pay-to-win. These bonuses included higher baseline character skills, larger inventory space and less aggressive AI enemies — major advantages for the hardcore survival title.