Ready or Not Review-Bombed Over Alleged Censorship for Consoles
▼ Summary
– VOID Interactive adjusted Ready or Not’s gore, nudity, and violence to meet console platform requirements, affecting both PC and console versions.
– The changes include toning down torture, altering child animations, and limiting post-death dismemberment, though some PC-specific elements remain.
– VOID stated the changes were necessary to avoid maintaining multiple game versions and aimed to preserve the original tone.
– PC players are review-bombing the game on Steam, criticizing the censorship and accusing VOID of greed and laziness.
– Ready or Not previously faced controversy in 2022 over a mass-shooting level and parted ways with publisher Team17 after announcing a school-shooting level.
Ready or Not, the tactical FPS developed by VOID Interactive, has faced significant backlash from its PC player base following modifications made to accommodate console release requirements. The controversy stems from adjustments to violent and mature content, sparking a wave of negative Steam reviews as players accuse the studio of unnecessary censorship.
The developers explained that certain elements, including graphic violence, nudity, and depictions involving children, were altered to meet platform guidelines for PlayStation and Xbox. While VOID emphasized that most changes were minor, such as tweaking textures or adjusting animations, some players argue these revisions compromise the game’s original vision. One notable adjustment involves a child character now appearing unconscious rather than displaying a more disturbing animation.
In a statement, the studio clarified that maintaining separate versions for PC and consoles wasn’t feasible due to potential technical complications. “We’ve only made changes flagged as mandatory by our partners,” VOID stated, assuring fans the core tone remains intact. Despite this, discontent has spread rapidly, with many accusing the team of prioritizing profits over artistic integrity.
Steam reviews have turned increasingly negative, dragging recent ratings down to “mixed” despite the game’s overall “very positive” standing. Outraged players have flooded discussions with demands for reversals, with some calling for boycotts. “This is pure laziness, they could’ve kept the PC version uncensored,” one review reads. Others claim the alterations undermine the game’s mature rating, arguing that players explicitly purchased an 18+ experience.
This isn’t the first time Ready or Not has faced controversy. In 2022, a level depicting a nightclub shooting was removed following a trademark dispute, and VOID later severed ties with publisher Team17 after plans for a school shooting scenario surfaced.
As the debate continues, the studio has yet to address the latest backlash directly. Whether VOID will reconsider its approach or stand by the changes remains uncertain, but the situation highlights the challenges developers face when balancing creative vision with platform compliance. For now, the divide between console accessibility and PC player expectations shows no signs of resolution.
(Source: IGN)
