Ori Developers Respond to Comment Bombardment
Moon Studios, known for the Ori series, has come to the fore with a controversial issue this time. The founder of the studio, Thomas Mahler, said that the negative user comments made for the new project of the team known for the Ori games, No Rest for the Wicked, threaten the future of the studio. Mahler, who made statements on Discord, stated that sales have been seriously affected and that this situation jeopardizes financial sustainability.
Comments Could Have Vital Consequences According to Ori Developer Moon Studios
Thomas Mahler stated in his post on Discord that if players who think positively about the game do not comment, the studio could close in a few months. According to Mahler, people often think that studios are financially secure because they have a big publishing house in the background. However, such thoughts do not reflect reality in independent projects like No Rest for the Wicked.
While the overall rating of the game on Steam is “Mostly Positive,” recent reviews are marked as “Mixed.” Although some negative reviews are not in the traditional “review bombing” style, Mahler argues that every negative review directly affects sales and harms profitability. This poses a serious risk to the studio’s future.
“If you don’t leave a review, we may not be in a position to make updates to this game in a few months,” Mahler said in his statement. Mahler encouraged positive players to comment, emphasizing that negative reviews could lead the studio to the point of closing down. However, this call has received criticism from some, as many users note that negative reviews often contain constructive and valid criticism.
Some of the negative reviews for No Rest for the Wicked include details such as the interface clutter, punishing gameplay, and insufficient narrative. Therefore, it is not possible to say that all the negative reviews the game has received are “unfair.” Mahler’s message reveals the sensitivity of independent developers to user reviews, while also bringing the balance between criticism and harm back to the agenda.
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