The Most Avoidable Gaming Fumbles of 2024 — September (GOT) Edition

It’s been an eventful year for the gaming industry, but not necessarily for the best reasons. From massive controversies to unexpected reversals, 2024 has already seen game publishers tripping over their own decisions in ways that could have easily been avoided. Here’s a breakdown of the biggest unforced errors we’ve seen so far, and what the gaming community is saying about them.

1. Helldivers 2’s PSN Account Requirement Backfires

When Helldivers 2 introduced a requirement for millions of PC players to connect their PlayStation Network (PSN) accounts, the response was predictably hostile. Despite the fact that the requirement had been announced in advance, the backlash from Steam users was swift and fierce. Fans felt blindsided, particularly because they were already invested in the game and didn’t appreciate the need for an additional account just to keep playing. Sony eventually backtracked, but not before a tidal wave of negative reviews hit Helldivers 2, tarnishing what had been one of the year’s best-selling games.

2. Escape from Tarkov’s $250 Edition Sparks Outrage

In another move that felt like an obvious blunder, Escape from Tarkov unveiled a $250 edition that promised an exclusive PvE mode—despite earlier assurances that all future DLC would be available to owners of the $150 edition. Fans were understandably upset, accusing the developers of going back on their word. In the wake of growing discontent, the company quickly walked back the offer, but the damage to player trust was done. This misstep likely cost Tarkov players who switched to competing games such as Gray Zone Warfare.

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3. Fallout 4’s Next-Gen Patch Wrecks Mods

Bethesda’s attempt to refresh Fallout 4 with a next-gen patch was a classic case of “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” Instead of enhancing the game for PC players, the patch broke countless fan-made mods, leading to widespread frustration within the community. The update was released with little notice and no beta period for modders to prepare, leaving them scrambling to fix what Bethesda had broken. The patch left a sour taste during a time when the Fallout series should have been riding high thanks to its successful TV adaptation.

4. Hearthstone’s Grinding Debacle

Blizzard’s decision to triple the effort required to complete Hearthstone’s Weekly Quests was another avoidable misstep. While the XP rewards were increased by 20%, the move felt like a blatant attempt to force players into spending more time grinding. The community’s backlash was swift, and Blizzard eventually scaled back the changes, though not entirely. For many, it was yet another example of developers being out of touch with their player base and prioritizing engagement metrics over enjoyment.

5. The Day Before Flop and Studio Collapse

After years of hype, The Day Before arrived with a whimper rather than a bang. Server issues plagued its launch, and players were disappointed to find that the promised open-world MMO was actually an extraction shooter, and not a very good one at that. Worse still, the developer, Fntastic, shut down just days after launch, declaring financial failure. Players were left high and dry, with nearly half of the game’s 200,000 sales being refunded. Publisher Mytona stepped in to offer refunds, but the damage to the studio—and the game’s reputation—was irreparable.

Conclusion

The 2024 gaming landscape has been filled with fumbles that could have been avoided with a little foresight and better communication. Whether it’s reversing controversial decisions or making poor choices about DLC and updates, these incidents have left players questioning the decision-making processes at some of the industry’s biggest companies. While companies like Sony and Blizzard have made efforts to fix their mistakes, the damage to player trust may be longer-lasting.