Escape from Tarkov 1.0 Release Approaches as Steam Wishlists Soar to 500k

Escape from Tarkov is finally preparing for its long-awaited 1.0 release on November 15, and the hype is building fast. Battlestate Games revealed that the hardcore extraction shooter has already crossed 500,000 wishlists on Steam.

Escape from Tarkov 1.0 launches Nov 15 on Steam with 500K+ wishlists and new story content confirmed.

This marks the first time the core Tarkov experience will be available outside Battlestate’s own launcher. Players can now even link their Battlestate Games accounts to their Steam profiles, making the transition smoother for those who’ve been grinding raids for years. But there’s a catch. If you already own the game through Battlestate’s launcher, you won’t automatically get a Steam copy. You’ll need to purchase it again if you want to play via Steam.

The wishlist momentum isn’t surprising. Tarkov has been a genre-defining title since its boom in 2020, when it surged in popularity thanks to streamers and its unique mix of realism and tension. For nearly a decade, it’s been in beta, with Battlestate rolling out updates every few months. Now, the studio insists the 1.0 release will be more than just a label; it’ll bring a new map, fresh factions, and even a linear story campaign with multiple endings.

That said, not everyone is convinced. Some fans argue the game still isn’t “1.0 ready,” pointing to bugs and unfinished systems. Others worry about the Steam launch itself, with critics suggesting the platform’s refund policy could lead to headaches for Battlestate if new players bounce off the game quickly.

Alongside the 1.0 release, studio head Nikita Buyanov confirmed that a console version is in development, though no timeline was given. Many expect a streamlined version for PlayStation and Xbox, given the game’s complexity on PC. Buyanov also teased new projects set in the Tarkov universe and post-launch DLC at Tokyo Game Fest.