Baldur’s Gate 3 Faces Review Bombing by Chinese Gamers After Game Awards Speech

LOS ANGELES, Dec. 16, 2024 — Baldur’s Gate 3, one of the most critically acclaimed RPGs of the year, is currently experiencing a wave of review bombing, particularly from Chinese players, following a speech by Larian Studios’ CEO Swen Vincke at The Game Awards. According to TheGamer, over 500 negative reviews were posted shortly after Vincke’s remarks, signaling frustration from a segment of the game’s global audience.

The controversy stems from Vincke’s passionate speech criticizing corporate greed in the gaming industry. While presenting the Game of the Year award to Astro Bot, Vincke emphasized that studios achieving success without being beholden to “arbitrary sales targets” and avoiding the exploitation of developers should be celebrated. However, this statement has led to backlash, particularly among Chinese gamers, due to a reported mistranslation of the speech. Some players perceived Vincke’s remarks as dismissive of the support Baldur’s Gate 3 has received through strong sales, leading to resentment and subsequent review bombing.

Translation Errors Fuel Controversy

As stated by TheGamer, one significant factor contributing to the backlash is a poorly translated version of Vincke’s speech that was circulated among Chinese audiences. The mistranslation reportedly portrayed Vincke’s comments in a much harsher light, implying a disregard for the importance of sales and the players’ financial support. Given the complexities of translating nuanced speeches into Chinese — a language known for its subtleties and contextual challenges — such misunderstandings are not uncommon.

One negative review, cited by TheGamer, highlights the sentiment among frustrated gamers:

“If developers don’t need to care for sales or reviews, please don’t mind my negative review.”

This reflects a belief among some players that Vincke’s comments undermined the value of their contributions as consumers. The perceived disconnect between developer gratitude and player support sparked a surge of negative reviews, despite Baldur’s Gate 3’s overwhelmingly positive reception globally.

Review Bombing: A Closer Look

The phenomenon of review bombing is not new to the gaming industry, but the current incident is notable for its relatively small scale and lack of coordination. According to Reddit user Kend7510, who first spotted the trend, Baldur’s Gate 3 saw an unusual spike in negative reviews following the speech. Normally receiving only 10-15 negative reviews per day, the game accumulated over 500 in a short period, primarily from Chinese accounts.

While 500 reviews may not seem significant compared to the game’s massive player base, the abrupt increase highlights how quickly sentiments can shift in the gaming community. However, as per TheGamer, the review bombing appears to have had minimal impact overall. The influx of positive reviews from other players after Vincke’s speech far outweighs the negative ones, blunting any serious damage to Baldur’s Gate 3’s reputation.

Black Myth: Wukong and National Pride

Beyond the mistranslation, another underlying reason for the review bombing appears to be frustration over the results at The Game Awards. Black Myth: Wukong, an eagerly anticipated action RPG developed by Chinese studio Game Science, was a fan favorite among Chinese audiences. The game’s loss to Astro Bot, which is not currently available on Steam, left some fans looking for an alternative outlet for their disappointment. Baldur’s Gate 3, as a prominent title available on the platform, became an easy target for this frustration.

National pride often plays a role in gaming controversies, and Black Myth: Wukong’s prominence as a Chinese-developed game has amplified the emotional response. As stated by TheGamer, this adds another layer to the backlash, with some players conflating Vincke’s speech with broader grievances about recognition and representation within the global gaming industry.

The Game Awards Speech: Context Matters

Vincke’s speech at The Game Awards struck a chord with many developers and players alike. By addressing corporate greed and advocating for studios that prioritize creativity and fair treatment of developers, Vincke touched on issues that resonate deeply within the industry. The speech celebrated games created with passion and purpose rather than solely for profit, a message that was widely praised but also misinterpreted by some audiences.

During his address, Vincke stated that future award-winning games would come from studios that “didn’t have to meet arbitrary sales targets” and “didn’t treat their developers like numbers on a spreadsheet.” While this was intended as a critique of exploitative industry practices, the mistranslation among Chinese players shifted the focus, sparking a narrative that Vincke was devaluing player contributions and sales performance.

As per TheGamer, the speech highlights an ongoing tension in gaming: the balance between creative freedom and financial success. While developers and industry insiders applauded Vincke’s stance, the backlash underscores the importance of clear communication, particularly across language and cultural barriers.

Impact on Baldur’s Gate 3

Despite the review bombing, Baldur’s Gate 3 remains one of the most successful and well-received games of the year. TheGamer notes that the game’s positive reviews continue to far outnumber the negative ones, demonstrating the strength of its reputation and the support it has garnered from players worldwide. Larian Studios’ commitment to quality and player satisfaction has solidified Baldur’s Gate 3 as a landmark title in modern RPGs, withstanding temporary controversies.

Moreover, this incident highlights the resilience of both the game and its community. Fans of Baldur’s Gate 3 have rallied in support of the title, leaving positive reviews to counterbalance the negative ones. The review bombing serves as a reminder of the challenges developers face in navigating player expectations, cultural differences, and the rapid spread of misinformation in the digital age.

While the controversy may fade in the coming weeks, it underscores the need for clear and accurate communication in a globally connected gaming industry. As developers continue to engage with audiences across diverse markets, ensuring that messages are properly translated and contextualized will be critical to avoiding similar misunderstandings in the future.

In the end, Vincke’s speech at The Game Awards may have sparked controversy, but it also brought attention to important issues within the industry. As stated by TheGamer, the incident serves as both a cautionary tale and a testament to the passion and dedication of the gaming community.