The intersection of artificial intelligence and digital journalism reached a boiling point recently when a review for Resident Evil Requiem was scrubbed from Metacritic. The review, originally published by the UK-based outlet Videogamer.com, was flagged as AI-generated. Attributed to a writer named “Brian Merrygold,” the profile quickly fell under scrutiny. Investigations revealed that Merrygold’s existence was likely fabricated, with his profile picture carrying a filename that pointed directly to a ChatGPT origin. Adding to the absurdity, this “author” was described as an expert in sports betting and iGaming—an odd background for a deep-dive critique into one of 2026’s most anticipated PC games.
Videogamer’s Strategic Pivot and the Rise of AI Churn
At Digital Tech Explorer, we prioritize transparency and human-led research, which makes the situation at Videogamer particularly noteworthy for our community. Since being acquired by Clickout Media in August 2025, the site has undergone a radical transformation. Reports indicate that the original editorial staff was laid off to make room for an AI-driven content strategy. The site’s focus has shifted away from traditional enthusiast journalism toward “video and casino games,” flooding its pages with articles on crypto casinos and betting guides. This incident serves as a cautionary tale of what happens when digital innovation is used to replace, rather than enhance, human expertise.
“It’s bleak. I was reading some RE Requiem reviews and found this thing published by Videogamer. Everything about it reeks of AI—the dead giveaway being the image. Low effort, garbage. Mind you, this review made its way to Metacritic.”
— Industry Commentator via X
The Metacritic Fallout: Defending Journalistic Integrity
The fraudulent review awarded the game a glowing 9/10, describing it as “the gory, glorious finale the fans deserved.” While the score may have pleased developers, its presence on Metacritic alongside legitimate human critics raised alarms about the platform’s vulnerability to AI acceleration. Metacritic holds immense power in the gaming industry; high scores can trigger developer bonuses, while low ones can impact stock prices and future project funding.
| Feature | The “Brian Merrygold” Review Details |
|---|---|
| Assigned Score | 9/10 (Highly Positive) |
| Detection Reason | AI-generated profile image and linguistic patterns |
| Metacritic Action | Review removed; publication ties severed |
| Current Strategy | Focus on iGaming and crypto-casino content |
Marc Doyle, a representative for Metacritic, was quick to address the breach. He noted that while the platform maintains a rigorous vetting process, transitions in ownership—like the one seen with Clickout Media—can lead to “plagiarism, theft, or other forms of fraud including AI-generated reviews.” Doyle clarified that Metacritic’s policy is absolute: “If we discover an AI-generated critic review has been posted, we’ll remove it immediately and sever ties with that publication indefinitely.” Following this stance, several other reviews from the same outlet have been purged from the aggregator.
Broader Implications for Tech and Gaming Storytelling
The reliance on AI for critical analysis doesn’t just threaten jobs; it threatens the nuance of tech storytelling. As veteran developer Warren Spector famously noted, review aggregation already risks rewarding “conventional” games over “disruptive” ones. When you add AI to the mix—which is programmed to identify and replicate patterns rather than experience genuine emotion or innovation—the risk of critical homogenization increases.
For those of us at Digital Tech Explorer, this event reinforces our commitment to real-world testing and human insight. Whether it is a deep dive into 3D gaming or the latest hardware release, the human element remains the most vital component of tech journalism. Staying ahead of tech trends requires a critical eye that an algorithm simply cannot replicate.
Disclaimer: All content on Digital Tech Explorer is for informational and entertainment purposes only. We do not provide financial or legal advice. Some of the links on our site are affiliate links, meaning we may earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.