Preface
Everyone has heard about it, so what is "Escape from Tarkov" again! On April 25th, the developer of this game launched a "Unheard of Edition" priced at as much as $250 without saying a word. Now, the Internet can be fried, especially those fans who have just paid for VIP.
The event passed
Let's take a good look at this whole lively thing. First of all, you need to understand what Escape from Tarkov is. It's a pretty hot shooter, especially popular among hardcore gamers. The game is very challenging, and it's not the kind that can be picked up by just playing.
Well, then again, the developer of this game is called Nikita, a company that is already famous for its Thunderman operation. On April 25th, they suddenly announced a new version, and it was a super VIP, called "Unheard of Edition". The price of this version is 250 US dollars, which is equivalent to almost 1,800 yuan. Yes, the price may sound distressing, but the point is that there are more perks and enhancements, such as a custom PVE mode.
Well, the original VIP users feel that they have been pitted. Think about it, you just spent a lot of money to become a VIP, and you are still complacent when you see that you are still complacent, but people suddenly have a more advanced one, which makes it clear that you are not happy. As a result, overseas players quit and scolded directly on the Internet, especially those who just bought VIP.
On the second day of the fermentation of this matter, Tencent, the domestic bigwig, saw the opportunity and made a move. They immediately announced that the PC version of their Escape from Tarkov-like game, Dark Zone Breakout Infinite, would be tested overseas. Tencent's operation is simply adding fuel to the fire, directly directing the fire of "Escape from Tarkov" to its own new game, do you say ruthless?
As for Dark Zone Breakout Infinite, this game is not simple. It inherits Tarkov's core gameplay, such as searching, fighting, and retreating, but with a lot of improvements, especially in terms of newbie friendliness. For example, shooting in the game doesn't hurt teammates, and you won't just shoot your teammates down if you shoot the wrong person. This is a blessing for the remnants of the opponent!
Moreover, the improvement in the graphics of the PC version of "Dark Zone Breakout Infinity" is also obvious. The lighting effects, modeling details, and scene design are much stronger than those of mobile games. For those players who originally played mobile games, the boost was definitely a real deal.
Back to "Escape from Tarkov", this time their super VIP operation really caused a lot of repercussions. Many players are starting to reconsider whether they want to continue to support the game. Moreover, the problem of the game's drop rate has always been the focus of criticism from players, especially those exclusive items hidden in the high-priced version, which makes people feel unbalanced. Nikita never seemed to give a satisfactory explanation for this, but instead responded to the player's dissatisfaction by introducing more paid content, which undoubtedly added fuel to the fire.
And for the average player, this endless stream of high-priced versions is really a headache. I originally thought that I would be able to enjoy a comprehensive game experience by purchasing VIP, but I didn't expect that there would be a higher level of "Unheard Edition". Not only does this make people feel like their previous investment has been wasted, but it also raises huge questions about the fairness of the game.
Nikita's strategy has also caused a lot of discussion in the industry. According to industry analysts, this practice of attracting players by constantly launching new paid versions may increase the company's revenue in the short term, but in the long run, it may hurt the company's brand reputation. After all, a player's loyalty to a game is built on fairness and value, and once that trust is broken, it's nearly impossible to restore it.
At the same time, Tencent's strategy of "Dark Zone Breakout Infinity" is more humane and market-oriented. Not only have they designed the game with the novice player experience in mind, making it more accessible, but they are also more reasonable in terms of price strategy. This will not only attract more new players to join, but also make old players feel that they are getting the best value for their money.
In addition, Tencent has effectively increased players' sense of engagement and belonging through various marketing campaigns and social media strategies. For example, they often organize online tournaments and player exchange meetings, which not only increase the interaction between players, but also make the game ecosystem more active.
And "Escape from Tarkov" is a bit behind in this regard. Although they also try to respond to the needs of players by updating content and optimizing the game experience, this frequent and high-priced update strategy has made many players feel fatigued. Many gamers have expressed their dissatisfaction on social media, arguing that gaming companies should focus more on the player's gaming experience, rather than constantly introducing new paid versions.
Overall, the release of this new version of "Escape from Tarkov" is undoubtedly a controversial event. Not only does it make the atmosphere of the gaming community tense, but it also makes players think more about the fairness and value of the game.
In contrast, Tencent's "Dark Zone Breakout Infinity" seems to know how to grasp the psychology of players, and its marketing strategy and game design show a deep understanding of the market and player needs. This difference may become a key factor in determining the fate of the two games in the future market competition.