“As mentioned by Eurogamer, Metro and other media, outlets in the UK have been denied review access to Starfield. The reasons for this are entirely unclear, however it appears to be a broad sweeping decision affecting almost all outlets in the UK, including media, YouTubers and Streamers.”
Review access for the video game Starfield has been denied to various UK outlets, including gaming press media, YouTubers, and live streamers. This information has been confirmed by multiple outlets, such as Metro, The Guardian, and Eurogamer. Many UK outlets have been promised review copies at the end of August, with a general review embargo set for August 31st at 5 pm BST. Surprisingly, while most US sites have received review copies, it is specifically the UK outlets that have been denied. No explanation has been given for this decision.
Not only UK-based newspapers and magazines like The Guardian and Edge, but also UK YouTubers and Twitch streamers have confirmed being refused access to review copies. It appears that only US outlets and Digital Foundry were given access to Starfield for review purposes. Speculations about the reasons behind this decision range from potential conflicts between Bethesda and UK outlets to concerns about lower ratings given by these outlets compared to their peers. However, the exact motives remain unknown.
While Bethesda has not publicly commented on the matter, the lack of review access for UK outlets seems to be a region-specific issue rather than targeting individual outlets. This is further supported by the fact that some UK-based outlets may still claim to have access to the game. In a personal observation, the author mentions that despite not receiving review access, they were sent the physical edition of Starfield by Bethesda, possibly suggesting that the decision was not personal.
However, there have been updates since the original reports, with Eurogamer confirming that Bethesda has eventually provided them with review access to Starfield. The situation surrounding the denial of review access is still strange, and the reasons behind it remain uncertain. Regardless of this controversy, the release of Starfield is imminent, and the author assures their audience that they will cover the game extensively in their future videos and content.
In conclusion, the denial of Starfield review access to UK outlets, including gaming press media, YouTubers, and live streamers, has caused confusion and speculation among the industry. With no clear explanation from Bethesda, the decision appears to be specific to the UK region. The lack of access has generated negative attention for both Bethesda and Starfield. However, the game’s overall quality remains to be seen, as Bethesda has provided review copies to a large number of US outlets. The author refrains from speculating on the reasons behind the denial and encourages viewers to share their thoughts on the matter.