In a move that has left its dedicated player base reeling, the developers of the notoriously hardcore extraction shooter Escape From Tarkov have deployed an update that appears to be a masterclass in trolling. Instead of heeding community calls to make cooperative play easier, the latest change has deliberately made escaping in a group more punishing than ever.
The Terminal Map's Cruel Twist
The controversy centres on the game's final map, Terminal. To complete the story campaign and successfully 'escape from Tarkov', players must board a boat. The longstanding issue was that the vessel never had enough seats for everyone if multiple players reached the end simultaneously. On January 3, 2026, popular Twitch streamer Velion directly tagged the game's director, Nikita Buyanov, on X (formerly Twitter), suggesting this be changed to foster camaraderie.
Velion's post envisioned a scenario where strangers could team up on the hard map and all escape together, potentially making 'some dope friends'. Surprisingly, Buyanov replied just hours later stating, 'It's changed already.' The community's initial optimism, however, was brutally short-lived.
A 'Change' in the Wrong Direction
Players quickly discovered that the developer's idea of a 'change' was the polar opposite of what was requested. Rather than adding seats to accommodate squads, the update now ensures there is only ever one seat available on the escape boat, regardless of how many players make it to the extraction point.
Another prominent streamer, Pestily, highlighted the issue on January 5, 2026, noting that even with five players reaching the end, only one could leave. His post summed up the community's disbelief: 'I understand 'changed' can mean multiple things but only one?' Numerous other players verified the harsh new reality, reporting failed group attempts where only a single 'winner' could depart after a tense standoff.
Community Backlash and Divided Reactions
The change has sparked significant anger within the Escape From Tarkov community. With no official patch notes or explanation from Battlestate Games, players have been left to speculate on the rationale. One disgruntled fan threatened to quit, stating, 'If this s*** isn't fixed soon... I'm done with this game.' Another criticised the forced Player vs Player (PvP) dynamic at the climax of the challenging campaign.
While some find the brutally ironic twist hilarious, and a minority prefer the high-stakes solo experience, even less bothered players suggest a compromise. 'Maybe two to three seats max could be a good middle ground? Keeps the pressure without killing group play entirely,' proposed one community member. For now, the developers remain silent, leaving squads to fight it out for the lone seat on the boat out of Tarkov.
