Censorship Sparks Backlash: 'Ready or Not' Faces Review Bombing Ahead of Console Launch

July 6, 2025
Censorship Sparks Backlash: 'Ready or Not' Faces Review Bombing Ahead of Console Launch
  • The tactical shooter game 'Ready or Not' is facing significant backlash due to recent censorship changes, coinciding with its upcoming console release on July 15, 2025.

  • In response to console launch requirements, developer Void Interactive announced modifications to reduce violence and nudity in the game, which have also impacted the PC version to facilitate cross-play.

  • This decision has led to the PC version being review-bombed on Steam, accumulating over 10,000 negative reviews, as players express frustration over changes that contradict the game's established reputation for graphic realism.

  • As of late June 2025, 36% of user reviews for 'Ready or Not' in the past month have been negative, with a notable spike of 64% negative reviews on June 28, the day the censorship was announced.

  • The backlash has resulted in a 'Mixed' rating for the game's recent reviews on Steam, putting the studio in a challenging position as it prepares for the console launch.

  • The controversy has ignited extensive discussions on social media and gaming forums, revealing a divided opinion among the player base regarding the game's direction and the necessity of the changes.

  • Many players feel betrayed, arguing that the PC community should not suffer due to the game's adaptation for consoles.

  • Originally available on PC since early access in 2021 and officially launched in December 2023, 'Ready or Not' is set to release on PS5 and Xbox Series X/S soon.

  • Void Interactive clarified that the changes were made for compliance reasons rather than a shift in creative values, specifying modifications such as altering scenes involving nudity and post-mortem dismemberment.

  • Some players have defended the changes, suggesting that the backlash may be overblown and that censorship could have been limited to console versions only.

  • Critics of the censorship include users who have expressed their dissatisfaction on social media, with some describing the developers' response as 'laughable and pathetic'.

  • Prior to the controversy, 'Ready or Not' had a 'Very Positive' rating on Steam, boasting nearly 200,000 reviews.

Summary based on 2 sources


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