Brace yourself: someone has finally actually Escape(d) from Tarkov.
As posted on Escape From Tarkov's Instagram feed, streamer Tigz has somehow actually managed to… well, escape, making them the first player to do so in the eight years the game has been live.
"Congratulations to Tigz on being the first to Escape From Tarkov," the post reads. "You survived. But at what cost."
Nikita Buyanov, director of the ultra hardcore extraction shooter, also celebrated the achievement, albeit confirming poor Tigz secured the "worst ending though… not cool."
Congratulations to @RealTigz on being the first to Escape from Tarkov. You survived. But at what cost. pic.twitter.com/nd4lSWIZIb
— Escape from Tarkov (@tarkov) December 1, 2025
To be fair to other players, escape was only possible since the 1.0 version of the game went live last month, ushering in the crucial final map, Terminal. Nonetheless, it's an incredible accomplishment that took over two weeks to conquer.
For those wanting proof (or just want to see a master at work), you can watch Tigz escape in real-time on his YouTube channel (skip to around 43 minutes). "Thanks for all the love guys and much love to all the haters as well," Tigaz posted to X/Twitter, appending a love heart emoji.
AlexPerch — the first one to complete "Didn't Escape" storyline ending.
— Escape from Tarkov (@tarkov) December 3, 2025
He escaped from Tarkov but did not escape from himself.#EscapefromTarkov pic.twitter.com/ktnEaixb4R
He's not the only MVP getting noticed by developer Battlestate Games, though. Earlier today, December 3, Escape from Tarkov's socials also revealed AlexPerch as the first to complete the Didn't Escape storyline ending, although the developer stressed: "He escaped from Tarkov but did not escape from himself." XinChongg has similarly been immortalized as "one of the first to escape from Tarkov in PvP," and Tsukinogi has just been announced as "the first who escaped with best ending in PvE."
#EscapefromTarkov @nikgeneburn One of the first to escape from Tarkov in PvP. The grind was fun! Thank you, @bstategames, for the awesome game! pic.twitter.com/4eXRncU6tw
— ViiReX (@ViiReX2) December 2, 2025
The first who escaped with best ending in PvE - Tsukinogi pic.twitter.com/kPje8s7RNS
— Nikita Buyanov (@nikgeneburn) December 3, 2025
Escape from Tarkov finally launched on Steam in 1.0 form last month, but with it came a 'mixed' user review rating. Buyanov later apologized to players for what he called a "rough" release, saying the team was "willing to continue fighting" to "finally crack the performance problems." Multiple patches have been released, the latest of which arrived on Monday.
Vikki Blake is a reporter for IGN, as well as a critic, columnist, and consultant with 15+ years experience working with some of the world's biggest gaming sites and publications. She's also a Guardian, Spartan, Silent Hillian, Legend, and perpetually High Chaos. Find her at BlueSky.
