Battlestate Games won't water down Escape from Tarkov for consoles. Studio head Nikita Buyanov confirmed that any PlayStation or Xbox version will feature the same punishing, unforgiving experience that has defined the PC game for years.
No Simplified Version Coming
Speaking on Insider Gaming's Access Granted podcast, Buyanov directly addressed speculation about a potential console port. Many players had assumed that bringing such a complex title to consoles would require significant changes to accommodate controller input and a broader audience.
Buyanov shut that down. "I'm not sure that it would be a 'lite' version of EFT," he stated. "The main goal is to create the same experience for the consoles, so there won't be any kind of aim assist, any simplifying of the gaming features."
Preserving the hardcore elements remains the priority. "I really want to get the same frustrating experience for the consoles, to bring on this hardcore feeling to a wider audience," Buyanov explained.
Breaking Controllers Is the Goal
The studio head was blunt about his goals for the port. "We don't plan to conquer something, we just want to create something new for the consoles, something new, a new experience, because they've never had that before, I mean the true hardcore experience that will break their controllers," he said.
Buyanov made these comments with a chuckle, acknowledging the humor in his statement. The underlying message was serious: difficulty won't be compromised.
Controls Pose the Biggest Challenge
Buyanov was upfront about the technical hurdles involved. Escape from Tarkov features deep inventory management, intricate health and medical systems, and extensive survival mechanics. On PC, players manage all of this through dozens of keybinds suited to keyboard and mouse.
"It won't be something simplified or a casual version of EFT. It will be the same EFT, but of course it needs to be optimized for the current gen consoles," Buyanov confirmed.
Mapping all those functions to a controller represents the core obstacle. "The main challenge will be to put in all the controls. It will be the main challenge for us, but in general, I think it will be pretty interesting to do," he added.
His mention of "current gen consoles" points to PS5 and Xbox Series X|S as the likely targets, though Battlestate hasn't confirmed specific platforms.
Recent Release Adds Context
This console discussion comes at an interesting time for the game. Escape from Tarkov only hit full release in November 2024 after years in early access. The development team has barely finished the core PC experience.
Battlestate previously teased console plans at Tokyo Game Show, which drew attention from the community. Buyanov's interview marks the most detailed public comments from the studio about their approach to a potential port.
No Release Timeline Announced
Buyanov provided no timeline for when console players might get their hands on the game. Given the recent PC launch and the substantial control adaptation work required, a console version likely won't arrive anytime soon.
The studio's commitment to maintaining full complexity means this isn't a quick port job. Battlestate hasn't announced any development timeline or release window.
Expectations for Console Players
PlayStation and Xbox players now know what to expect. The console version won't include aim assist. Mechanics won't be simplified for controllers. The brutal difficulty, complex inventory systems, and punishing gameplay loop will all carry over.
This approach differs from how most PC games adapt for consoles, where developers typically add accessibility features and control accommodations. Battlestate appears set on delivering what Buyanov called a "true hardcore experience" that console gaming hasn't seen before.
Console audiences may or may not embrace this uncompromising design. Battlestate has made one thing certain: they're not building a separate, easier version of Tarkov for anyone.
