The CEO of No Rest for the Wicked said negative reviews might hurt them, but he never suggested a crisis

Thomas Mahler clarified on Discord: Moon Studios isn't in financial distress amid negative reviews for 'No Rest for the Wicked'.

: Thomas Mahler, CEO of Moon Studios, faced backlash after comments suggesting negative reviews might threaten the company's survival. Addressing Discord users, Mahler expressed concern that review bombing could lead to financial struggles. The studio's recent reviews on Steam teetered between 'Mostly Negative,' as Mahler publicly requested positive feedback to offset the criticism. Despite initial panic, Mahler later clarified that Moon Studios is not facing immediate financial danger, but highlighted industry-related issues he finds problematic.

Thomas Mahler, the CEO of Moon Studios, recently ignited controversy with his comments on the negative reviews of 'No Rest for the Wicked.' The soulslike action RPG developed by Moon Studios had been undergoing a barrage of criticism on platforms like Steam, where its rating had temporarily sunk to 'Mostly Negative' following unpopular game balancing updates. Mahler voiced concerns on Discord, saying that continued negative reviews could affect sales, threaten Moon Studios' viability, and impact the development of future updates for the game. These statements caught the attention of industry observers, leading to coverage on various gaming news platforms, reinforcing concerns about the studio's financial status.

Mahler's remarks included statements like, 'It's entirely possible that we won't be around in a couple of months to do anything anymore simply because we got review bombed,' and 'If we don't sell more copies cause people review bomb us, you might just cause our death.' His urgent tone suggested a dire scenario, prompting speculation about the studio's future. However, following widespread media dissemination of his comments, Mahler took to X to further clarify his position, stating, 'And no, we're not in immediate financial danger.' According to Mahler, his statements were intended to counteract the 'bullshit reviews' and not to signify any actual financial distress.

Despite this confusion, Mahler's concerns highlight a broader issue faced by indie developers regarding the weight of online reviews. Steam's review system allows users to leave feedback on the platform, impacting a game's overall perception and sales potential. Mahler expressed frustration with what he deemed 'review bombing,' where scores are deliberately lowered by coordinated effort or non-genuine feedback, often unrelated to genuine product quality. He specifically criticized negative reviews that didn’t address actual gameplay or issue-specific feedback but still harmed the game's standing.

Beyond financial implications, Mahler's reaction also touches upon broader themes in the gaming industry concerning the public relations challenges developers face amid online interactions. He noted incidents of being targeted on social media, including unjust accusations and personal attacks against him, exacerbated by unrelated political stances or character portrayal changes in games. For instance, he lamented the criticism received for not including visible diversity within the game, and Moon Studios' neutral stance on the Russia-Ukraine conflict, which drew unwelcome feedback from certain quarters.

Mahler concluded his clarifications by emphasizing Moon Studios' continued commitment to producing high-quality games. He reiterated the company's determination to drive innovation and quality within the gaming industry, drawing from the strength and efforts of their small team. Mahler's case highlights the pressures on independent game developers who rely heavily on community support and reputation, which can be unpredictable and volatile.

Sources: PC Gamer, Windows Central

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