Escape from Tarkov Confirms Console Release and Reveals First Major DLC “Scav Life”

After years of speculation and fan requests, Escape from Tarkov is finally making its way to consoles. Developer Battlestate Games confirmed the long-awaited console release during its Tokyo Game Show 2025 recap video, alongside new details about the game’s first post-launch DLC, titled “Scav Life.” The announcement marks a major turning point for the hardcore extraction shooter that’s dominated the PC survival scene for nearly a decade.

The reveal comes as a pleasant surprise to fans who had nearly given up hope of a console version. Back in April 2025, Battlestate COO Nikita Buyanov jokingly remarked that Tarkov would arrive on Game Boy before consoles — a statement that many interpreted as the studio shutting down the idea entirely. Now, however, it’s clear that Buyanov’s earlier comment was simply tongue-in-cheek humor.

Escape from Tarkov Is Officially Coming to Consoles

While the exact platforms haven’t yet been specified, the console edition will almost certainly target the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S. Given the game’s reputation for technical complexity and realistic mechanics, many players are curious about how Battlestate will optimize Tarkov for controllers and console performance standards. The developer has yet to confirm release windows, though speculation points to a 2026 debut following the PC version’s full release.

This new announcement aligns with earlier statements from former Battlestate developer Pavel Dyatlov, who hinted as early as 2020 that the team had been experimenting with console prototypes. Fans are now eager to see whether cross-platform progression or shared servers could become part of the game’s future ecosystem.

“Scav Life” — Tarkov’s First Post-Launch DLC

During the same TGS 2025 presentation, Buyanov also confirmed the name and focus of Tarkov’s first major DLC: Scav Life. As its title suggests, the expansion will explore the gritty underworld of Tarkov’s Scavengers — one of the game’s six primary factions. Players can expect new storylines, survival missions, and deeper progression systems centered around the unpredictable lives of Scavs.

The DLC won’t begin full production until after the November 15 launch of Tarkov’s long-awaited 1.0 version, meaning players shouldn’t expect it to arrive before mid-to-late 2026. Still, the confirmation alone has reignited excitement among Tarkov veterans who have followed the game through its lengthy beta phase since 2017.

More Games in the Tarkov Universe Are on the Horizon

Buyanov also hinted at several other projects in early development, confirming that multiple new games set in the Tarkov universe are currently in pre-production. While details remain scarce, these titles are described as spin-offs rather than direct sequels, allowing Battlestate to expand the lore and world-building beyond the current storyline.

In addition, the studio is preparing “a couple of huge post-launch events” designed to celebrate Tarkov’s transition from beta to full release. A new playable map is reportedly in the works, promising to further enhance the game’s complex extraction gameplay and high-stakes combat.

A Major Milestone for a Cult-Favorite Shooter

For years, Escape from Tarkov has maintained a dedicated community of players drawn to its unforgiving realism, tactical gunplay, and immersive survival mechanics. The upcoming console adaptation and post-launch expansions signal Battlestate’s intention to evolve Tarkov from a niche PC experience into a cross-platform franchise capable of competing with mainstream shooters.

With the game’s Steam debut set to coincide with its 1.0 launch and the console version now confirmed, the Tarkov universe is expanding faster than ever — a testament to Battlestate’s long-term vision for one of the most ambitious shooters in modern gaming.