In a remarkable achievement, Void Interactive’s controversial shooter, Ready or Not, has surpassed one million sales on consoles within a mere four days. This rapid success marks a significant milestone for the studio, especially when compared to the game’s initial launch on PC, which took approximately 36 days to reach the same sales figure.
CEO’s Reflections on Success
Julio Rodriguez, CEO of Void Interactive, expressed his pride in the team’s accomplishments through a LinkedIn post, emphasizing that this milestone is not taken lightly. “It’s a huge moment – and one we don’t take for granted,” he stated, acknowledging the hard work that went into this achievement. As the game approaches its first weekend since launch, reviews remain strong, and the team is diligently addressing any issues to enhance the player experience.
Rodriguez extended gratitude to players, partners, and supporters of the project, reinforcing the community’s role in the game’s journey. However, the rollout has not been without its challenges.
Community Backlash and Content Adjustments
Earlier this month, Void Interactive announced necessary changes to the console version of Ready or Not, as mandated by first-party partners. These adjustments included modifications related to dismemberment, nudity, the portrayal of children, and explicit violence. This announcement sparked a backlash within the gaming community, leading to a review-bombing campaign that caused the game’s rating to shift from “mostly positive” to “mostly negative” on Steam.
Despite these challenges, the game maintains a respectable score of 4 out of 5 on the Xbox storefront and an average rating of 4.69 on the PlayStation Store. The negative reviews often cited “content censorship,” prompting Void Interactive to address misconceptions and misinformation regarding the scope of the changes made.
Publisher Departure and Controversial Content
In a notable turn of events, Void Interactive parted ways with its publisher, Team17, shortly after announcing the inclusion of a school shooting mission in the game. While no specific reasons were disclosed, the decision followed a developer’s candid response to a Reddit inquiry about the controversial content, stating, “You better believe it’s gonna.” This incident, coupled with a brief offline period in 2022 due to a trademark dispute, highlights the tumultuous journey of Ready or Not.
As the game continues to evolve, the focus remains on delivering an engaging experience while navigating the complexities of community expectations and industry standards.
