Fact Check: Negative publicity and criticisms about the game itself negatively affect Marvel vs Capcom Infinite game

Fact Check: "Negative publicity and criticisms about the game itself negatively affect Marvel vs Capcom Infinite game"

What We Know

"Marvel vs. Capcom: Infinite," released in September 2017, is a crossover fighting game developed by Capcom. It is the sixth main entry in the Marvel vs. Capcom series and features a two-on-two combat system, a departure from the three-on-three format of its predecessors. The game was met with mixed to positive reviews, with critics praising its gameplay mechanics but heavily criticizing its presentation, particularly the character designs and the absence of popular characters like the X-Men (Wikipedia, Geeks Under Grace).

The game sold approximately one million copies by the end of December 2017, falling short of Capcom's initial sales target of two million units (Wikipedia). This underperformance can be attributed to the negative reception and criticisms surrounding the game, which included issues with character design and the overall quality of in-game models (Source Gaming, Rolling Stone).

Analysis

The claim that negative publicity and criticisms have adversely affected "Marvel vs. Capcom: Infinite" is supported by various sources. Critics and fans alike expressed dissatisfaction with the game's character roster, particularly the absence of the X-Men, which are iconic figures in the franchise (Geeks Under Grace). This discontent was evident even before the game's release, as early trailers and announcements faced backlash for the character selections and visual style (Source Gaming).

Furthermore, the game's graphics and character models were criticized for being subpar, which contributed to a negative perception among potential buyers (Rolling Stone, Gamerant). The combination of these factors likely influenced consumer interest and sales, leading to a significant underperformance in the market.

While some discussions on platforms like Steam suggest that the backlash may have been exaggerated (Steam Community), the overall consensus from critics and reviews indicates that the negative publicity had a tangible impact on the game's reception and commercial success. The criticisms were not only about gameplay but also about the aesthetic and character choices, which are crucial in a franchise that relies heavily on fan-favorite characters and visual appeal (OpenCritic).

Conclusion

Verdict: True
The claim that negative publicity and criticisms about "Marvel vs. Capcom: Infinite" negatively affected the game is substantiated by evidence from multiple sources. The game's poor sales performance, coupled with widespread criticism regarding its character roster and visual presentation, indicates that the negative reception had a significant impact on both its critical and commercial success.

Fact Check: Negative publicity and criticisms about the game itself negatively affect Marvel vs Capcom Infinite game