According to reporting by Kotaku, Metacritic pulled the Resident Evil Requiem review after concerns surfaced that it was AI-written. The article appeared under the byline “Brian Merrygold,” but readers quickly noticed unusual phrasing, vague commentary, and a lack of specific gameplay insight.

Critics pointed out that the review relied heavily on generic metaphors and surface-level observations that could have been drawn from a trailer alone. While pre-release embargoes can limit what reviewers disclose, experienced critics typically provide meaningful context without being overly vague.

The author profile raised additional red flags. The profile image appeared AI-generated, and when downloaded, the file name reportedly included “ChatGPT-Image,” adding to suspicions. Kotaku also examined other recent bylines at VideoGamer and found similar patterns: AI-style profile images and accounts created around the same time in October 2025.

VideoGamer AI Fake Journalist Gaming Reviews Under Scrutiny

The VideoGamer AI fake journalist gaming reviews controversy has broader implications for review aggregators. Metacritic compiles scores from established publications to generate an overall critical rating, similar to Rotten Tomatoes.

Marc Doyle, Metacritic’s co-founder, told Kotaku that the Resident Evil Requiem review and several other 2026 reviews from VideoGamer were removed. The company reiterated its policy: AI-generated reviews are not permitted, and any discovered after publication will be taken down following investigation.

Alex Donaldson, founder and publisher of RPG Site, confirmed that Metacritic has contacted aggregated outlets and publishers to clarify its stance on AI-written content.

The aggregator stated clearly that it will never include AI-generated reviews and will sever ties with publications that violate the policy.

It's bleak. I was reading some RE Requiem reviews and found this thing published by videogamer. Can't find anything about the writer, everything about it reeks AI (dead giveaway being the image). Low effort, gargabe.

Mind you, this review made its way to Metacritic. https://t.co/4STN8DjAwe pic.twitter.com/awk26P9wSA

— Andrés (@Andrew_east) February 26, 2026

AI Content Journalism Integrity Media Trust at Risk

The incident goes beyond a single review. It underscores growing concerns around AI content journalism integrity media trust, especially as some publishers experiment with automation.

ClickOut Media, the company that owns VideoGamer, reportedly laid off staff at its gaming sites earlier this month as part of a pivot toward AI-generated content. While automation may reduce operational costs, critics argue that replacing experienced journalists with AI systems risks undermining editorial credibility.

Academic research supports these concerns. A 2023 Reuters Institute Digital News Report found that audiences remain skeptical about AI-generated journalism, particularly when transparency is lacking. Trust, once eroded, is difficult to rebuild.

For platforms like Metacritic, which depend on curated expert opinion, the presence of even one AI-generated game review Metacritic listing can damage credibility.

As generative AI tools become more sophisticated, media organizations face mounting pressure to establish transparent policies, maintain human oversight, and clearly label AI-assisted content.

The gaming industry, built on passionate communities and detailed critique, may prove to be one of the earliest testing grounds for how AI reshapes journalism.