"System Shock and Deus Ex, they were RPGs. People called them RPGs": Gloomwood's publisher isn't too keen on using the term immersive sim despite it being one

Dave Oshry, the boss of New Blood, a publisher behind cult favorites like ULTRAKILL and immersive sims such as Gloomwood and Fallen Aces, is not a fan of the term "immersive sim." In a recent interview with PC Gamer, Oshry expressed his disdain for the term, stating that it's "awful" and not a good marketing choice.

Oshry's skepticism towards the term originated from his encounter with the term's creators. He explained that when he heard the term "immersive sim" for the first time, it was through publisher New Blood working with lead developer Dillon Rogers. However, Oshry had never heard the term before and considered games like Deus Ex to be RPGs, not immersive sims.

According to Oshry, the defining characteristic of an immersive sim is its ability to immerse the player in a world while allowing them to build their character. He likened this to RPGs, which he felt were more effective in terms of marketing. Oshry suggested that marketing a game as an RPG might be a better approach than labeling it as an immersive sim. While Oshry's opinion may be controversial among diehard immersive sim fans, it's clear that he is well-acquainted with the genre and understands its unique qualities.