Escape from Tarkov Studio explains why PvE DLC does not count as DLC, only to regret it soon after

Escape from Tarkov introduced a new bundle for its players, which added a whole new game mode and other advantages for those who paid for it. A whole new game mode and extra features exclusive to those who paid for it sounds an awful lot like a paid expansion or DLC, but apparently, it wasn't.

The problem arose when it was revealed that this new content wouldn't become available to those who purchased the Edge of Darkness edition (EoD), which was supposed to include all future DLCs except for this one, apparently. It was locked behind the Unheard edition, a 250 USD edition that also includes multiple perks that some may consider pay-to-win due to these being way better than the ones offered at lower tiers.

Shortly after the negative reactions, people from the studio began clarifying and doubling down regarding the PvE mode status of not being DLC, such as BattleState Games COO Nikita Buyanov claiming their definition for the term DLC doesn't fit this addition as they claim that DLC would be more like "major additions to the game, including various functionality and content that are released after the official release of the game," later adding that Edge of Darkness players will be granted access after the game's release, which is still unrevealed, but supposedly will happen during 2024; they can also upgrade to the Unheard edition with a discount.

Nikita's response was not satisfactory to the players, mostly because of their very specific definition of DLC and how the situation remained mostly unchanged, only claiming that EoD players would eventually get to play this DLC once the game is out, and offering the option for them to upgrade if they wanted o play.

Not long after these claims were made and more negative reactions, Nikita had to respond again, half-apologizing and making the decision to grant EoD players access to this new game mode and changing some of the perks for those with this edition, though it will be on waves, as it seems that their servers do not have enough capacity for all EoD players, the Unheard edition will remain up for anyone who wants to purchase it, with the extra perks being balanced and the same promise of access to future DLCs, unless they change their definition of DLC again.