The criticism that followed the game’s release was largely centered around the developers’ alleged failure to meet the expectations they had set with their marketing campaign. Gamers who had pre-ordered the game claimed that the trailers and previews had been misleading, and that the final product was far from what they had been promised. Many criticized the game for its unoptimized performance on last-gen consoles, which had not been properly disclosed by the developers.
The situation escalated quickly, and the creators were forced to apologize to players for the state of the game. In addition to the refunds, the developers announced a series of updates and patches to address the game’s issues. The backlash was so intense that the game was even pulled from Sony’s PlayStation Store, a move that highlighted the gravity of the situation.
The recall of Cyberpunk 2077 marked a rare and unprecedented move in the gaming industry, as it revealed the consequences of overpromising and underdelivering. It also underscored the importance of transparency and honesty when marketing a game, and the need for developers to ensure that their products are optimized for all platforms.
Number 4. Batman: Arkham Knight (2015)
The Arkham series is well-known for its immersive storytelling, iconic characters, and addictive gameplay. The release of Arkham Knight in 2015 was no exception, with fans eagerly anticipating the continuation of the series. However, the excitement quickly turned to frustration for PC gamers, as the game’s PC version faced significant performance issues.
Despite high-end systems being used to play the game, many players reported significant frame rate drops, crashes, and other technical issues. The situation became so severe that Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment, the game’s publisher, had to take action.
In a bold move, the company recalled the PC version of the game just a few days after its release. This meant that the game was no longer available for purchase, and those who had already bought it could get a full refund. The decision to recall the game was a significant blow for the developers, as it not only damaged the reputation of the game but also impacted the financial success of the release.
