Controversial ‘Censored’ Shooter Tops Steam Sales Despite Backlash
▼ Summary
– Ready or Not, a tactical shooter, is set to release on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X on July 15, with updates to animations for console certification, sparking fan backlash.
– The updates aim to modernize the game’s tech by switching from Unreal Engine 4 to Unreal Engine 5, improving performance and enabling cross-play features.
– Changes include toning down ongoing gore animations and reducing depictions of torture and nudity, though initial violence remains intact, to meet console certification requirements.
– PC players criticize the changes as censorship and a betrayal of the game’s original artistic intent, leading to negative reviews on Steam.
– Despite the controversy, Ready or Not has seen increased sales and player counts, partly due to the attention and a 50% discount during Steam’s summer sale.
The tactical shooter Ready or Not has surged to the top of Steam’s sales charts despite facing intense backlash over recent censorship changes. The controversial updates, aimed at securing console certification, have sparked outrage among PC players who accuse the developers of abandoning the game’s original vision. Yet, paradoxically, the uproar appears to be fueling its commercial success.
Developers at VOID Interactive explained that the adjustments were partly technical, transitioning from Unreal Engine 4 to Unreal Engine 5 for smoother performance and cross-play compatibility. However, some alterations go beyond optimization. The game will now limit post-death gore animations and tone down depictions of torture and nudity, changes deemed necessary to meet console platform guidelines. While the core violence remains intact, the shift has left many fans feeling betrayed.
Ready or Not’s lead technical artist, identified only as Alex, defended the revisions in a blog post, calling them a “reasonable compromise” given the game’s emphasis on non-lethal tactics. Still, the Steam community erupted, flooding reviews with accusations of censorship and corporate greed. One top-rated review claims the developers are “appeasing console regulators at the expense of their loyal PC fanbase.”
Despite the backlash, the controversy has inadvertently boosted the game’s visibility. Player counts doubled shortly after the announcement, and the title currently sits at 15th place in Steam’s global top sellers, outperforming newer releases. Part of this surge may be attributed to its 50% discount during Steam’s summer sale, but even at $24.99, it’s far from a budget title.
The situation highlights the delicate balance developers face when adapting games for multiple platforms. While console certification demands stricter content moderation, PC players often expect unfiltered experiences. For Ready or Not, the debate over artistic integrity versus marketability has only intensified its spotlight, proving that sometimes, bad press can still translate into strong sales.
(Source: Polygon)
