Metacritic has removed a review of Resident Evil Requiem from Videogamer after it was identified as AI-generated by a fictional writer. The review, which scored the game 9/10, was published amid reports that Videogamer replaced its human staff with AI content. Metacritic has banned AI-generated reviews and severed ties with the publication.
A review of Capcom's Resident Evil Requiem, published by UK gaming site Videogamer, was removed from Metacritic on February 26, 2026, following reader complaints that it was written by a nonexistent AI journalist. The review credited Brian Merrygold, described as an "experienced iGaming and sports betting analyst," but investigations revealed the author lacked any prior online history and used an AI-generated profile image named "ChatGPT-Image-Oct-20-2025-11_57_34-AM-300×300.png."
Videogamer, originally purchased by BGFG a few years ago and recently sold to gambling SEO agency Clickout, reportedly gutted its human editorial team last week, according to sources speaking to Kotaku. Since then, the site has published AI-generated content across its gaming news, reviews, and features sections. Older human bylines from the site's 15-year history have been erased and replaced with fake AI profiles, including those of Shooter Orson and Steven Danielson, whose X accounts were created in October 2025.
The Resident Evil Requiem review, which praised the game as a "chainsaw-revving, blood-soaked testament" to the franchise, was flagged for clichés and lack of specifics. Multiple AI detection tools confirmed suspicions of generation by AI. It was not the only one affected; a Videogamer review of Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen, published February 23, 2026, was also removed from Metacritic.
The issue was first highlighted by Gfinity's Andrés Aquino on X, who noted the review's low effort and suspicious elements. Metacritic cofounder Marc Doyle stated in an email to Kotaku: "The RE Requiem review and a handful of other Videogamer reviews from 2026 have been removed from Metacritic."
In response, Metacritic issued a disclaimer to gaming outlets banning AI-generated reviews. Doyle added: "Metacritic’s policy is to never include an AI-generated critic review on Metacritic and if we discover that one has been posted, we’ll remove it immediately and sever ties with that publication indefinitely pending a thorough investigation." This incident raises concerns about quality control on the review aggregator, which influences consumer decisions and developer reports.
