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- The founder of Arkane does not appreciate the current status of Metacritic ratings.
- He argues that Stalker 2 receiving a lower rating for its rough state is unfair.
- The developer says that this system ultimately leads to more safe games being produced by the industry.
Metacritic is becoming more important for gamers and developers by the day. Some would even argue that it is given too much importance today, with various teams specifically aiming for high scores on the platform.
This approach has also impacted the mindset behind game development. One former Arkane developer has recently discussed this mindset, stating that Metacritic is promoting safe and boring games.
Why it matters: A poor or mediocre Metacritic score can lead to audiences instantly looking past certain titles.
GSC Game World recently debuted Stalker 2 and saw a mixed reception from the industry. With an average score of around 74/100, the game was criticized for its bugs and unpolished nature.
Raphael Colantonio, the founder of Arkane, argues that these scores are unfair. He emphasizes that achieving a high score on Metacritic is simply a matter of launching a polished game.
Moreover, Raphael Colantonio believes that this system leads to teams pushing for boring, albeit polished games.
As long as a game is polished at launch, you’re guaranteed a 80%.
-Raphael Colantonio
The developer suggests that Stalker 2 getting a lower score for being rough around the edges is misleading. While the game is certainly unpolished, it seems creativity and ideas hold more weight for Raphael Colantonio.
Coming from a director and creative working in the industry, this discrepancy is not too surprising. This is also not the first time a developer has spoken out against the importance of Metacritic scores.
However, it cannot be understated how important a polished release is for modern games, particularly because many recent AAA releases have been disastrous on day one.
What are your thoughts on the developer’s thoughts? Do you agree? Let us know in the comments, and visit the Tech4Gamers Forums for additional discussions.
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[News Reporter]
Avinash is currently pursuing a Business degree in Australia. For more than three years, he has been working as a gaming journalist, utilizing his writing skills and love for gaming to report on the latest updates in the industry. Avinash loves to play action games like Devil May Cry and has also been mentioned on highly regarded websites, such as IGN, GamesRadar, GameRant, Dualshockers, CBR, and Gamespot.
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