Overview of the Review Bombing Incident
- Chinese players of Black Myth: Wukong have been launching review bombing campaigns against Baldur’s Gate 3 on Steam.
- The backlash appears to have been triggered by a speech from Swen Vincke at The Game Awards 2024.
- Many fans are also disappointed that Astro Bot secured the Game of the Year title instead of Black Myth: Wukong.
A notable controversy is unfolding in the gaming community as fans of Black Myth: Wukong undertake efforts to review bomb Baldur’s Gate 3 on Steam. This reaction seems closely tied to remarks made by Swen Vincke, the creator of Baldur’s Gate 3, during his acceptance speech for the Game of the Year award at The Game Awards 2024, where Astro Bot was honored.
Since its release earlier in 2024, Black Myth: Wukong has received immense acclaim, quickly selling over 20 million copies. Recognized as one of the standout games of the year, it received multiple nominations at The Game Awards 2024, including the prestigious Game of the Year award. Though it secured victories in categories such as Best Action Game and Player’s Voice, its fans expressed disappointment when Astro Bot emerged as the overall winner.
Backlash Following The Game Awards
Chinese players are review bombing Baldur’s Gate 3 because Swen presented GOTY to not-wukong by u/kend7510 in gaming
In a fresh wave of negative feedback, players have taken to Steam to vent their frustration towards Baldur’s Gate 3. The discontent stems from Vincke’s comments, during which he stated that the winning title “didn’t have to meet arbitrary sales targets”and “didn’t treat their developers like numbers on a spreadsheet.”These statements have led many to misinterpret his intentions, resulting in a flurry of negative reviews immediately following the awards ceremony.
To deepen the controversy surrounding the Game of the Year outcome, Feng Ji, the producer of Black Myth: Wukong, has publicly expressed skepticism regarding the criteria used by The Game Awards for the title. He conveyed his disappointment over the outcome, indicating his confusion regarding the selection process for the Game of the Year winner. Ji mentioned that he had prepared an acceptance speech in anticipation of winning but ultimately did not have the opportunity to deliver it.
The phenomenon of review bombing is not unprecedented within the gaming industry. Just last month, players resorted to similar tactics against Dragon Age: The Veilguard, citing grievances related to its representation of LGBTQ+ characters and accusing the title of promoting a “political agenda.” This pattern suggests an ongoing trend within the gaming community where emotions over perceived injustices can lead to concerted backlash against certain titles.
Read more about the situation here
Leave a Reply