4 Player Co-op Game Review-Bombed for Taiwanese Language Option
Egg Raiders, a four-player cooperative horror game developed by indie studio Misoge Inc., is facing severe backlash for including a Taiwanese language option. This seemingly trivial decision incited intense backlash, especially among some Chinese users, who perceived the choice as politically charged.
The game has since been review bombed on Steam and now sits at overwhelmingly negative reviews within days of its release. But not all the reviews are from Chinese users claiming that the developers are promoting Taiwan’s independence. According to other players, the game itself has a lot of other issues.
What Is Egg Raiders and Why Is Having a Taiwanese Language Option a Problem?
Egg Raiders is an early-access horror game that relies heavily on teamwork and strategy. Players have to survive in a monster-infested zone for three days. Developed by Misoge Inc., the game places players in a high-stakes environment where every decision could mean the difference between life and death.
EGG RAIDERS is being bombarded with negative comments(Steam) for recognizing Taiwanese as a linguistic option
byu/Junnys inGames
The concept of a tense, co-op survival game has seen success already in games like Among Us and Lethal Company so there is no issue there. But in the case of Egg Raiders, the game has been overshadowed by technical issues and the controversial choice of adding Taiwanese as a language option.
Most of the negative reviews seem to be from players calling it insensitive given Taiwan’s complex political relationship with China. Chinese players voiced displeasure, interpreting the inclusion of Taiwanese as a statement about Taiwan’s political status.
The small indie studio has since released a public apology and acknowledged that it had not considered the potential implications of its language choices. The developers will address this issue but noted that their limited resources and a focus on gameplay were the reasons for the oversight, stating they would work to resolve the matter.
For indie developers, review bombing is a serious issue. Negative ratings can hinder a game’s growth, discourage potential players, and significantly impact sales. This is true for any game but especially true for indie games and developers since they’re often can’t afford to fail.
It’s Always Good To See Indie Games Succeed
Egg Raiders joins a wave of indie games that have seen surprising success due to community support and social media exposure. In recent years, indie games like Among Us, Fall Guys, and Lethal Company have achieved widespread popularity due to their cooperative gameplay and accessibility.
These games thrive on a blend of suspense, humor, and social interaction, offering players a chance to share unforgettable moments with friends. Lethal Company went viral for its comedic horror gameplay and is perhaps the most successful example of a co-op game that grew popular through word-of-mouth and content sharing.
Misoge Inc. has been transparent about the financial challenges it faces as a small studio. The devs are using early access as a way to support ongoing development while continuing to work on the game.
As stated by the developers, the game is slated for an official release in April 2025. This leaves time to address player feedback and improve the game. For small indie developers like Misoge Inc., navigating political sensitivities in gaming can be challenging.
The studio is already working on addressing the language-related issues and bugs reported by players. As the game remains in Early Access, opinions could change in the future. We can only wish them luck.
What do you think of this sticky situation? Let us know in the comments!
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