Realistic FPS Ready or Not gets review bombed after dev alters extreme material

Ready or Not developer Void Interactive has outlined several changes that are being made to the FPS game ahead of its launch on consoles. The team explains that in order to meet the certification requirements set by first-party console partners, a selection of in-game textures and other visual assets must be altered, and that these alterations will also be present in the PC version of Ready or Not. Some instances of gore have been "tuned down," and material connected to in-game child characters has also been revised. In response to the announcement of these changes on Friday June 27, Ready or Not's Steam rating has taken a sharp downturn, as some players post negative reviews criticizing Void's decision to "censor" the shooter.

A tactical, realistic FPS game where players command a team of armed police officers, Ready or Not is renowned for its uncompromising subject matter. One level takes place during a mass shooting at a community college. Another level, set in a nightclub, was released on June 12, 2022, the sixth anniversary of the Pulse Nightclub shooting in Orlando, Florida. With the Ready or Not console launch date set for Tuesday July 15, Void Interactive explains that some in-game material has been altered in order to earn a ratings certificate on these additional platforms.

"Throughout this console port process we've done our utmost to only make changes when they are flagged as absolutely required by our first party partners, and any changes aim to remain faithful to the original tonality of the game, so there is no reason to be alarmed," the developer says. "Our age rating as it stands for console is ESRB M-rating, PEGI 18, and USK 18 to give an idea. Still, there are other game content requirements that console platforms have in order to exist on their systems, and a portion of these changes will be visible on the PC version."

Void says that the asset changes necessary for Ready or Not's console port are "limited," but that they will be reflected in the PC version of the game also.

"Maintaining multiple versions of the game with different assets and system mechanics increases the likelihood of bugs to occur in future updates, and subsequent challenges keeping the game updated across multiple versions," the developer explains. "If the in-game assets were not the same it would make crossplay unusable; the game content must be equal or basically equal for multiplayer to work. Different versions of assets affect multiplayer replication, which is the ability for the server to understand what's happening in-game and host players in the same lobby or server. "

Void Interactive outlines the specific changes made to Ready or Not for its pending console release. While shooting enemies may still cause sections of their body to be dismembered, once an enemy is killed, continuing to shoot their dead body will not allow players to dismember it any further.

Some instances of "explicit" nudity have been "covered up a bit more." Void Interactive also notes a specific child NPC in the level 'Twisted Nerve'. Previously, this child could be found seizing and convulsing, which Void says created a "violent appearance". Now, the child will appear as if they are either sleeping or unconscious.

"The texture changes on console are just small things that make the evidence in levels more like hints that connect with other evidence, rather than something practically screaming 'this is illicit child stuff happening!'," Void explains. "However, the player can easily connect the dots based on the other evidence in the level.

"Some character art involving torture was tuned down slightly to be less over-the-top. For example, the tortured police informant on 'Narcos' is still missing fingers, eyes, and covered in fresh wounds and blood, but a little bit less so."

On Thursday June 26, before Void's statement regarding these changes, ten negative reviews were posted on Ready or Not's Steam page. On June 27, the day of Void's statement, there were 291, followed by 628 on June 29. As of this writing on the morning of Monday June 30, 192 negative reviews have been posted today so far. The influx of unfavorable responses has lowered Ready or Not's 'recent' rating - that is, its rating based exclusively on reviews posted in the last 30 days - from 'very positive' to 'mixed.'

"A fantastic game ruined by the decision to censor the more graphic elements," one Steam reviewer writes. "It was these elements that made Ready or Not the visceral game it was. Massively disappointing."

"This review is to warn people to not buy this game," another player says. "They [Void] are planning on censoring the gritty and dark nature of the game. They are doing this purely for money so they can get their game on console."

Ready or Not's aggregated Steam rating, based on all 188,000 reviews that have been posted for the game during its lifetime, is still 'very positive'.

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