The Creators of the Inclusive Shooter Highguard Bought Off Bloggers and Streamers — For a Sandwich
Today's release of Highguard is shrouded in scandal, not hype. Instead of the anticipated buzz, Wildlight's game has found itself at the center of accusations regarding "bought" reviews.
It all started with a suspiciously low-key announcement at The Game Awards, which wasn't followed by any large-scale advertising or even a proper gameplay showcase. This secrecy raised the main question: is the studio hiding something, or is the game just that bad?
The answer, it seemed, came from a sudden event in Los Angeles, where select bloggers were invited. Almost immediately after it, social media was flooded with ecstatic reviews, which for many was the last straw. The public instantly accused the studio of paid promotion, alleging it paid for positive impressions.
However, one of the participants, TheMacroShow, came forward with an unexpected rebuttal. He stated that Wildlight did not pay him for his participation, nor even for a taxi or hotel. The only "bribe" from the studio, in his ironic words, was a sandwich at lunch. Furthermore, he confirmed that he turned down a direct advertising deal to maintain his integrity.
But his voice was drowned out by the chorus of other influencers who continued to praise the project. This only fueled the skepticism: players are increasingly tired of aggressive, "artificial" advertising built on the opinions of bloggers rather than the game's actual merits.