This week we’re looking at the impact of player feedback and reviews on the unexpected success or early demise of various games in today’s age of hot takes and spicy soundbites.
Players are everything when it comes to a game’s success. Demon’s Souls was initially overlooked, but strong reviews and positive word of mouth transformed it into a cult classic that eventually inspired an entire genre. Its original PlayStation 3 online servers closed in 2018, but its loyal community kept its legacy alive. In contrast, Star Wars Galaxies was dragged down after a major update upset longtime players, leading to harsh feedback and a community exodus before the game ultimately closed in 2011. These examples show that the product itself is only part of the equation—community trust and player loyalty may be even more important than the game.
— Justin J, Asst Manager
When looking at how player feedback shapes a game’s trajectory, Cyberpunk 2077 stands out as a prime example. As one of the most anticipated titles of the decade, its initial launch was met with fierce criticism due to game-breaking bugs and severe performance issues that rendered it nearly unplayable for many. Rather than abandoning the project, CD Projekt Red listened to the community, overhauled core systems, and relentlessly optimized the experience. That dedication turned the tide—shifting the narrative from a disastrous launch to widespread praise, and proving how crucial player feedback is to a game’s long-term revival.
— Kevin D, Client Success
One game that stands out as resilient in the face of huge community backlash was No Man’s Sky. Promises were made, features disappeared, and the outrage was real. After a relatively ok keynote one would have thought No Man’s Sky would have disappeared into the aether but years on the game has received many high quality upgrades which deliver on early promises and in some cases go even further.
A somewhat mysterious survival, if you will, is Diablo Immortal on mobile. Initially met with an epic level of silence on its announcement at 2022 BlizzCon, Diablo Immortal went on to become a significant stream of income for the home of Warcraft, Starcraft, Overwatch and more. Not surprising to some as there is a little bias, in my view, against mobile titles among PC audiences.
While I never played this one myself I definitely thought Diablo Immortal would survive the cold shoulder it received at BlizzCon and the over 34 Million downloads to-date it’s definitely proven its value to any early doubters. When it comes down to it, mobile and mobile fans are just different.
— Mace T, Project Manager
That’s all for this week. Let us know which game you thought had a hard time or received more favorable praise than it deserved.
Let us know in the comments!
See you next time!