Guerilla Games, the developer of Horizon Forbidden West, has addressed the negative backlash received for a specific scene in the game’s Burning Shores expansion. In an interview with VGC, Guerilla Games’ Narrative Director Ben McCaw, and Lead Writer Annie Kitain discussed their reaction to the backlash and the team’s focus on player experiences.
Kitain mentioned that the team strives to create engaging and emotionally impactful content. They value feedback from players who have actually experienced the game and are interested in hearing about their story-driven experiences. For those who haven’t played the game and engage in negative online behavior, the team chooses to ignore such comments.
McCaw shared that he compartmentalizes negative feedback, recognizing that it stems from a mindset he can’t align with. He appreciates constructive feedback from fans who have played the game and is grateful for their input.
Despite the backlash, McCaw expressed overall satisfaction with the reaction to the game. He emphasized that the team puts immense effort into every detail, making the positive response from players particularly rewarding.
Horizon Forbidden West Burning Shores is now available on PlayStation 5.