Swen Vincke comes to the defense of developers. „It’s easy to destroy things, it’s a lot harder to build them”

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The CEO of Larian Studios and other people working in the gaming industry have criticized those who are harshly attacking the reputations of game developers, including the creators of Highguard and other games.

Wildlight Entertainment’s new shooting game didn’t launch successfully. While more positive reviews are starting to appear, the game still only has a 34% approval rating, which isn’t great for the developers. Things were also complicated by Geoff Keighley, who, despite seeming interested in the game, unintentionally interfered with the team’s plans.

CEO of Larian Studios criticizes critics

Although Highguard isn’t considered a competitor to popular games like Marvel Rivals or Overwatch, some people thought the initial negative reactions from players were overblown. This wasn’t just coming from casual internet users either – even dedicated gamers were accused of being biased or paid to stir up trouble.

So, Swen Vincke, the guy who runs Larian Studios, put out a bunch of posts recently. He was talking about Highguard and the gaming world, but mostly he was calling out people who trash other people’s work and make it personal. Honestly, I totally agree with him! He even joked that maybe we should be rating reviewers, just like they rate our games on Metacritic. It’s a pretty interesting idea, and he definitely has a point about respecting the effort that goes into making these games.

It bothers me when people harshly criticize the work of others. Sharing something you’ve made with the world takes courage, and that effort deserves respect, even if it’s not something you personally enjoy. It’s much easier to tear things down than it is to create them. Truly good critics recognize this and, even when offering criticism, strive to be constructive and avoid being unnecessarily hurtful.

I’ve often thought it would be interesting if critics themselves were rated, similar to how Metacritic scores games and movies, based on how well others think their reviews are. It might encourage them to be a little more careful with their words. Criticism can be really hurtful, and people shouldn’t have to become emotionally numb just to share their opinions.

Vincke observed that while developers and publishers aren’t perfect, and he doesn’t enjoy many games himself, it’s unusual to find a game made by a team where no one truly cared. However, the people most sensitive to negative feedback are also those who feel the most pressure. If those passionate creators leave the industry, only those who are less invested will be left.

I don’t enjoy many games, and I can often tell when a game is made purely for profit. But it’s unusual to find a game created without someone on the team genuinely passionate about the project and invested in making it special.

Just to be clear, I also strongly dislike it when developers or publishers take advantage of their players, or when they excessively charge those who enjoy their games. I completely understand why players are frustrated by this – it bothers me a lot too. I genuinely hate that practice and made a promise that Larian would never participate in it.

My little thread isn’t about defending these practices.

Essentially, creative people tend to be highly sensitive, and that sensitivity often leads to deep caring and empathy.

When people leave a conversation or platform due to harsh criticism, everyone suffers because only those who aren’t bothered by negativity remain.

Be careful with your words – they can really affect sensitive people. We want to make sure they don’t become discouraged or lose their passion for the game.

If you’re unhappy with how a game treats its players, simply stopping playing is a very effective way to show your dissatisfaction. You don’t need to be rude or attack the developers. If enough people boycott games that are disrespectful, the companies will eventually realize their mistake and make changes. Luckily, there are plenty of other games to choose from.

Geoff Keighley’s new toy

It’s understandable why Vincke’s views aren’t popular with many online, and the comments clearly show a lot of disagreement with what the Larian CEO is saying. However, some players do agree that there’s a growing trend of people generally disliking gaming as a pastime – not just specific games. And while Highguard has its problems, it’s probably not as bad as the online negativity suggests.

Interestingly, after Matthieu Vincke shared his thoughts, many others in the industry joined the conversation, with some even publicly supporting Geoff Keighley. This happened after Keighley jokingly acknowledged he was receiving a lot of criticism online.

Geoff Keighley’s reaction on X.

These posts generally fall into a few key themes. Many people are noticing that online discussions about games are becoming less valuable, with those who dislike a game actively engaging with it just as much as fans, but with negative attitudes. Shinobi206, Gene Park, and Jez Corden were among those who discussed this. Corden also suggested that platform algorithms might be contributing to the problem, as Google seems to promote content that is particularly negative.

However, many are defending Geoff Keighley. Some gamers had accused him of accepting bribes to promote the game Highguard, but others are highlighting his dedication to hosting The Game Awards and Summer Game Fest. They argue the events would likely be much less enjoyable if they were managed by a more traditional, business-focused team.

As we discussed earlier, Keighley didn’t dismiss the rocky start of Highguard. He continued to talk about the game and actively sought feedback from players. This led to the joking suggestion that he truly enjoyed Highguard and was eager to share it, much like a child proudly showing off a beloved toy.

Nothing screams “true gamer” more than staunchly defending a game that no one else likes.

I feel very protective of Geoffrey Keighley, almost like a mother. He excitedly showed everyone his new favorite thing, and it made us all laugh.

Because Geoff liked that game. He has the right to like it. He just has a crappy taste.

Despite positive posts from popular creators, journalists, and people in the industry, the overall online reaction to Highguard remains negative. Criticism is still focused on the game’s developers, as well as Keighley and anyone defending it. It remains to be seen if Wildlight Entertainment will give in to the backlash or work to win back players and encourage them to give Highguard another chance.

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2026-01-28 14:34