Developer Apologizes After Threatening Websites With Review Blacklist
Developer BadFly Interactive has apologized and admitted it they “screwed it” after they sent out an email to websites threatening to blacklist them from future games if they posted negative reviews of their recently released title Dead Effect 2.
The game, which released last week on the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One, was publicized to a number of websites before it became available. In the email, the developer explained how the game was not a AAA blockbuster title and had only been created by a small team of 11 staff. The controversy arose from the final few lines that stated any bad reviews could mean that reviewers would not get copies of upcoming games.
“Also, we’re working on several other games that are definitely interesting, and if your review or preview of Dead Effect 2 is very negative, you won’t receive any keys from us in the future.”
Shawn Petraschuk posted an article about the email, prompting the developer to release a statement. They apologized for the wording of the email, claiming that the Czech-based studio did not have a native English speaker.
“The thing is we care about our game so much. We are creating our dream and we really want it to succeed,” said Martin Pospisil of BadFly Interactive. “The point of our message was just to see us as what we are – a small indie studio.”