Games

Times When Fan Feedback Changed The Game

Published

2 weeks ago

November 8, 2024

Christoph Rediske

Key Takeaways

Developers face challenges in releasing games due to evolving perspectives & trimmed content.
Audience feedback positively impacts games by leading to rebalancing & updates.
Games like
Battlefield 2042, Cyberpunk 2077,
&
Diablo 3
improved post-launch based on feedback.

As a constantly evolving industry with so many changing perspectives, it can be tough for developers to gauge the impact their video game will have on the audience. Games take years to develop, and moving from the planning stages to the full release is a lengthy process, resulting in various aspects being trimmed down for time or cut out altogether.

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Overall, when a game releases to the public, especially these days, audiences are quick to provide their feedback. Whether it’s under-cooked features or an unfinished game, there have been numerous occasions where these crumbs of social media wisdom have positively impacted the games they’re focused on. With that said, these are some occasions where audience feedback massively impacted a video game.

8 Battlefield 2042

Not So Futuristic

Released: November 19, 2021
OpenCritic Rating: Weak

Initial Launch	Bugs Balancing Issues Lacking Core Features
Post-Launch	Bug & Server Fixes Class System Introduction Map Reworks Performance Improvements

The Battlefield series is no stranger to unpolished releases, and after some of EA’s previous blunders with Star Wars Battlefront 2, there was a lot riding on the release of Battlefield 2042.

Unfortunately, server issues and unbalanced gameplay mechanics plagued the game’s release, and it was missing some of the core mechanics the series had come to be known for. Thankfully, after considering vocal fan feedback, the developers at Dice continuously rebalanced and updated Battlefield 2042, making it a far more balanced experience today.

7 Diablo 3

The Terrifying Error 37

Released: September 3, 2013
OpenCritic Rating: Mighty

Initial Launch Advertisement	Prevalent Error 37 Bug Server Issues Always Online DRS Auction House Unfavorable Loot Mechanics
Post-Launch	Server Fixes Revamped Loot System Story Expansions

Diablo 3 was a game eagerly anticipated by many, and the countdown to its release was filled with the cheerful hype of Blizzard fans worldwide. The first main hurdle was that, unfortunately, most gamers struggled to get past the login screen, due to the now infamous “Error 37.”

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Numerous complaints also surfaced about the loot system and in-game auction house, which were then addressed as Blizzard introduced new story expansions and entirely revamped the looting systems, making Diablo 3 a much more inviting and enjoyable game.

6 Fallout 76

Atom Bomb Baby

Released: November 14, 2018
OpenCritic Rating: Weak

Initial Release Advertisement	Lacked NPC’s Lacked Engaging Narratives Bug-Ridden Constant Crashes Server Instability
Post-Launch	Fully Integrated NPC’s New Free Story Expansions Loot Rebalancing Endgame Improvements

Expectations weren’t the highest for Fallout 76 after its announcement. Bethesda games aren’t known for their bug-free nature, especially at launch, and the multiplayer sales pitch didn’t exactly fill the audience with hope. The game was released with no NPCs, very few gameplay loops, and bugs.

Fallout 76 is a far better experience today, with questlines, multiple game modes, improved stability, and a far more playable state overall. With more updates slated for release, it’s a great time to jump into Fallout 76.

5 Destiny

It Was Destined For Greatness

Systems

Released: September 9, 2014
OpenCritic Rating: Fair

Initial Release	Underwhelming Story Miscast Voice Work Grind-Focused Gameplay Incredibly Repetitive Missions
Post-Launch	Story Expansions With Great Narratives Necessary Recasting Of VA’s Less Grind More Guaranteed Loot New Class Specializations

Destiny had a lot going for it; fun gameplay, a star-studded cast, and a lore-rich universe. There was a lot of excitement surrounding the Halo developers’ newest MMO. Unfortunately, it was buggy and had server issues—and its core gameplay cycle was criticized for being far too grind-heavy and repetitive.

3:17

Destiny 2 Warlock in Spire of the Watcher Gear next to Empress Caiatal

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Bungie responded by adding multiple story expansions featuring greatly improved storylines, which were supported by improved voice work. They also entirely revamped their mission structure and improved the loot system, all improvements that they would then take onboard when developing Destiny 2.

4 Middle-Earth: Shadow Of War

From The Lowest Dungeon To The Highest Peak

Released: October 10, 2017
OpenCritic Rating: Strong

Initial Launch	Invasive Micro-transactions Grind-Focused Endgame Unbalanced Nemesis System RNG Based Power Cycle
Post-Launch	All Optional Purchases Removed Re-Balanced Endgame Content General Loot Buff More Story DLC’s

The microtransaction systems in Shadow Of War were a hot topic in 2017. After their announcements, fans were outraged after already feeling so preyed upon by pay-to-win functionalities in gaming.

It also didn’t help that in order for players to get the true ending for Shadow Of War, they had to trudge through a grind-heavy system that was designed to push them towards spending money to make things easier, entirely undermining the unique Nemesis system and leaving a bitter taste in the mouths of many. Their feedback was widely publicized, and Monolith Productions eventually conceded. They have entirely revamped the progression system and removed the marketplace.

3 Mass Effect 3

The Colorful Ending

Initial Release Advertisement	Ambiguous Final Choices Lack Of Closure Underwhelming Conclusion
Post-Launch	Citadel Expansion Overhauled Endings With New Cinematics More Closure On Series Narratives

Mass Effect 3 was the conclusion to BioWare’s trilogy that was quickly becoming an iconic Sci-Fi RPG series. Fans were understandably eager to see just how those characters they’d grown so attached to over the course of the previous two games would end up. There was a lot for BioWare to live up to, and the reaction to Mass Effect 3′s ending was, well, less than favorable.

Many criticized the game’s “Pick a color” ending for its lack of introspection and series relativity, as well as how underwhelming the act of determining the fate of the universe was. BioWare then made two DLCs, one of which was the Extended Cut expansion, which had different epilogues and ending results based on the player’s choices. It still wasn’t perfect and took maybe too long to release, but it was an improvement regardless.

2 No Man’s Sky

Finally, Living Up To Its Promise

Released: August 9, 2016
OpenCritic Rating: Fair

Initial Launch Advertisement	No Multiplayer Features No Basebuilding Empty Planets No Narrative Repetitive Gameplay Loop
Post Launch	Fully Integrated Multiplayer Narrative Fishing Customizable Basebuilding Overhauled Planets New Gameplay Loop

An infamous title turned console classic, No Man’s Sky was massively hyped leading up to its full release. From promises of an endlessly intriguing gameplay loop to an expansive universe filled with activities, lifeforms, and multiplayer aspects, none of which were present at launch. It’s a wonder just how good it turned out to be.

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Hello Games continuously updated the experience, adding in plenty of improved features—whether it was basebuilding, a narrative, fishing, or finally giving players that promised multiplayer feature, it was clear that No Man’s Sky was on the up. It’s currently a fantastic experience, especially with friends, and plays exactly how it was meant to on its release. It’s hard to blame fans for their displeasure with its launch, the amount of promoted features that weren’t delivered, and the brief period of radio silence from the developers afterward, but No Man’s Sky eventually proved to be more than just empty promises.

1 Cyberpunk 2077

‘Preem Upgrades, Choom

Released: December 10, 2020
OpenCritic Rating: Strong

Initial Launch	Bug-Ridden No Real Law Enforcement Mechanics Constant Crashing On Last-Gen Consoles Underbaked Features
Post Launch	Phantom Liberty Expansion Constant Bug Fixes Overhauled Perk System Rebalanced Weapons Improved Visuals Fixed Crashing

Probably the most famous case of a game having been released far too early, Cyberpunk 2077’s reception after its late-2020 release was less than ideal. Last-gen console players received no-questions-asked refunds from Microsoft and Sony due to the game’s bug-ridden state. After such a long wait, and developer CDProjekt’s accrued good faith after The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, it’s safe to say that the over-promised and under-delivered state of Cyberpunk 2077 on its release was disappointing for excited fans.

After four years, CDProjekt Red’s dedication to improving Cyberpunk has paid off immensely. They’ve added an entire story expansion in the form of Phantom Liberty (which was widely praised), improved combat, greatly improved law enforcement mechanics, executions, and an entirely overhauled perk system. It’s an experience that feels far more “complete.” The developers also greatly stabilized the game, so while it’s not bug-free, it’s still a far more consistent experience—and crashes far less often.