5 Most Hated Gaming Companies, According to Players

With a global audience hanging off your every release and moulding over every minor detail with a fine tooth comb — it's no wonder video game companies are forever feeling the pressure these days. Because let's face it, one major slip-up can lead to some pretty disastrous results and even go on to tarnish the studio's very name, leaving some pretty nasty marks on its legacy in the process. And with hungry fans judging every manoeuvre — we honestly can't help but feel sorry for them. Most of the time, anyway.

A lot of the time, developers do tend to bring it on themselves, mainly through decisions that don't sit too well with the target audience. Microtransactions, being one of the nails in the coffin, is just a small example of how such a choice can lead to a whole heap of unfavourable reviews. And that's just one thing, with plenty of other underlying factors that can also contribute towards the overall reputation of certain game companies. But let's run through a few of them now. Here are five of the most hated companies in the industry, according to players.

5. Bethesda

Just don't talk about Fallout '76. Like, ever.

We'd be lying if we said Bethesda hasn't released some solid games over the years, and hasn't even mopped up more accolades than most underdog studios will ever see in a lifetime on the grind. Because they have — and they will continue to scrape the barrel for awards and all the perks that coincide with their best-selling franchises. But then, success doesn't necessarily lead to popularity. At least not the good kind, anyway.

The truth is, Bethesda has had its fair share of criticism over the years, with a major backlash coming from the disastrous launch of Fallout '76 and its buggy add-ons. Since then, the big-league developer has only continued to disappoint its fan base, mainly with the established Creator Club (a fancy way of saying microtransactions) for both Skyrim and Fallout 4. And then, of course, there's the enormous file sizes and the lack of support on earlier glitch-riddled games. You know, all the usual things people tend to dislike. It all adds up, and it's unfortunately caused a lot of people to abandon the wagon altogether.

4. Infinity Ward

Infinity Ward sure know how to execute a CTRL + C command on a keyboard. After all, they've been doing it for years.

Now, the vast majority of people might not have heard of Infinity Ward outside of the Call of Duty franchise — and there's a perfectly good reason for that. The fact is, Call of Duty really is the only series the US-based developer works on, with parent company Activision keeping a firm grip on the strings from way up high. And while Call of Duty is, of course, one of the biggest franchises in the history of gaming — that doesn't necessarily excuse its creators from the waves of criticism over the rehashed formula that has been used for well over a decade now.

It's perfectly clear that Infinity Ward is capable of developing a best-selling game. After all, they've been doing it year after year, without having to really alter the formula in order to make mouthwatering sales figures. Add on an endless stream of microtransactions and you've got yourself a team of self-centred individuals that prioritize funds over fans. So, not great.

3. Ubisoft

Ubisoft's strict release schedule has started to take its toll — and people aren't too happy about it. Like, at all.

Recently, Ubisoft has come under a major line of fire over on the marketing frontline, mainly over Far Cry 6, which is being branded as a total rehash of older games in the series. Buried in a slew of microtransactions and game-breaking glitches, it's evident the triple-A studio has dished up something as a way to stay on track with the strict annual release schedule. The problem there, of course, is that people are worryingly quick to flush out all the flaws, both minor and major.

But that's not all. Ubisoft has, unfortunately, been slated for a bunch of other things, including its recently rebranded Ubisoft Connect (formerly known as UPlay), with players expressing their frustration over its rather aggressive presence that gets implemented in every global release. Top that off with a dozen recycled IPs with one too many tired story arcs and you've got yourself a lazy developer with very little ambition, still sponging off the glory days from former hits. Tut tut.

2. Activision

The Activision Blizzard lawsuit definitely hasn't helped their reputation, that's for sure.

Another faction of the gaming world that has entered the crossfire is Activision, mainly due to the lawsuit surrounding the Activision Blizzard fiasco. Before that, however, Activision definitely wasn't one for flying under radar when it came to controversial matters. If anything — they embraced them with two smoking barrels, which, admittedly, had caused them quite a lot of harm over the years.

So, why is Activision one of the most hated companies in the industry according to players? Well, it all boils down to 2007, when Activision purchased Vivendi Games (formerly known as Universal Interactive). Since the acquisition, both Crash Bandicoot and Spyro were handed over to Activision to do with as they pleased. However, despite being two of the biggest franchises in the gaming market, Activision refused to reignite their fires, effectively building frustration from fans all over the world. Throw in a few slip-ups with the Call of Duty multiplayer front and you've got yourself one heck of a disliked brand.

1. EA

Bet you didn't see that coming, did you? Sorry, EA. It's nothing personal. Well, it sort of is.

Of course, it has to be EA. It just has to be. Electronic Arts, despite being one of the biggest names in the sports domain, is still considered to be the most hated gaming company in existence. Even with a long history of fantastic single player games under the belt — its online counterparts are still seen as lead anchors that ultimately capsize the flagship studio. And now, with an ocean of microtransactions swirling around the island that is EA's kingdom — it's evident that money-hungry sharks have started to make up for the majority of its population.

It's almost hard to feel sorry for a company like EA. In fact, they basically bring it on themselves year after year, with rehashed material and careless marketing strategies. They are, sadly, a division that cares not for the global audience or their feedback — but for the generated income that comes from their regurgitated works. And to think, Electronic Arts used to make original games. It's a sad tale, considering the talented folk behind closed doors know how to make a quality game. The problem is, however — they just won't put pen to paper and make it happen.

So, what are your thoughts? Do you agree with our list? What company would you put up with these five? Let us know over on our socials here.

Had enough here? Looking for more content? You could always take a look at one of these lists:

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