Despite facing backlash and review bombing from a portion of its community, Ready or Not is proving its resilience in the gaming market. The tactical FPS, developed by VOID Interactive, has more than doubled its concurrent player count on Steam, showing that its popularity remains strong ahead of its highly anticipated console launch.
From Controversy to Comeback
Ready or Not, originally launched in early access in 2021 and reaching full release in 2023, places players in the boots of a SWAT officer operating in the gritty fictional city of Los Suenos. While the title was praised for its realism and intense tactical gameplay, it came under fire earlier this year.
VOID Interactive made several content changes—such as removing nudity, reducing gore, and altering scenes involving NPC overdoses—in order to meet console certification requirements. These adjustments triggered a wave of review bombing on Steam, with players criticizing the perceived censorship and dilution of the game’s original tone.
As a result, the game currently holds a “Mostly Negative” recent review score on Steam.
Player Count Doubles on Steam
Despite the backlash, the player data tells a different story. As noted by PC Gamer, Ready or Not recently hit 17,269 concurrent players on July 6, according to SteamDB. This marks a significant increase from just under 6,000 players on June 26.
The boost aligns with the Steam Summer Sale, during which the game was offered at a 50% discount—likely drawing in new players curious about the hype.
Strong Console Demand Ahead
Even more impressively, the Ready or Not: Digital Deluxe Edition has climbed to the top spot of PlayStation’s pre-order list, suggesting strong demand from console gamers despite the recent drama. If this trend continues, VOID Interactive could see a highly successful console launch, proving that core gameplay and fan engagement can outweigh controversy.
Ready or Not has weathered a tough PR storm, but its rising player base and console momentum show that it’s far from down for the count. With updated content, an active community, and expanding platforms, the game may continue to grow in popularity—even if the reviews tell a different story.