{
  "id": 10784545,
  "title": "The weird experience of liking a game before it's 'fixed'",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/29/the-weird-experience-of-liking-a-game-before-its-fixed",
  "topic": "tech",
  "section": "Tech",
  "published": "2026-09-29T20:58:57.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "PC Gamer",
    "slug": "pc-gamer",
    "url": "https://www.pcgamer.com/games/survival-crafting/the-weird-experience-of-liking-a-game-before-its-fixed/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "I once reviewed Battlefield 2042 positively while it was simultaneously labeled the worst installment in the series ever. Critics were right in pointing out its flaws, but I viewed the game through a different lens. The expansive 128-player maps offered eerie, isolated moments reminiscent of the classic Battlefield 1942. Additionally, the hovercrafts' physics and the custom game modes created with the Portal scripting tool added to my enjoyment. I did not join the chorus of complaints, and EA's extensive campaign to listen to feedback and refine the maps and shift focus to 64-player modes was commendable, but I did not return to play the revised version. A similar situation occurred with No Man's Sky, a game that received intense criticism at launch due to unattainable expectations fueled by vague marketing by Hello Games. Despite the harsh criticism, I held onto the eerie solitude and mysterious aspects of the game. No Man's Sky has since undergone a remarkable transformation, becoming one of gaming's most triumphant redemption stories, thanks to Hello Games' dedication and hard work. Founder Sean Murray still cherishes the original version, playing it sans updates and expressing a fond attachment to its unique charm. The post-launch updates improved the game for many, resulting in a decade of happy space exploration, including fans financing a billboard to celebrate their appreciation. However, I cannot support the common usage of the term \"fixed\" when describing these revisions, as it implies the game's design issues were completely resolved, akin to fixing a crash. Murray faced criticism for glossing over No Man's Sky's lack of multiplayer features in its original 2016 form, yet the game remains a one-of-a-kind experience that hasn't been replicated since.",
  "summary": "Has this ever happened to you?",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}