Suda51: Metacritic Scores Pressure Games into a Formula

In a recent interview, Grasshopper Manufacture CEO Goichi Suda, also known as Suda51, expressed concerns over the overwhelming focus on Metacritic scores in the gaming industry. Suda argues that this fixation leads to formulaic game design, limiting creativity, as developers cater their projects to meet the expectations of high review scores. He noted how this trend affects larger companies, which often shun unconventional titles that do not align with established formulas. While Suda attempts to ignore Metacritic impacts, he admits to occasionally checking scores, revealing that starkly negative reviews can still be disheartening for developers.

Suda believes that the pressure to achieve high Metacritic scores pushes developers to adhere to formulaic designs that prioritize marketability over creativity. This focus can discourage the development of unique and diverse games that don’t conform to established norms.

Goichi Suda is well-known for his work on titles like No More Heroes and recently, Lollipop Chainsaw RePop, which is a remaster of the original action-adventure game launching on multiple platforms. His controversial design choices and willingness to experiment with unique gameplay have made him a prominent figure in the game industry, yet he remains vocal about the constraints imposed by review culture.