Geoguessr Steam Faces Backlash After May 8th Steam Launch

by

On May 8th, 2025, the widely acclaimed geography guessing game, known as Geoguessr, made its grand debut on Steam, igniting a flurry of anticipation (and debate).

Geoguessr, which is renowned for testing the skills of players in guessing real-world locations using only Google Street View hints, has amassed a considerable following since it initially debuted as a free web-based game.

Currently, the launch on Steam has seen an unanticipated storm of criticism, as a deluge of negative reviews has inundated the platform.

Whats is Geoguessr?

For those not familiar with it yet, Geoguessr is an engaging game centered around geography where you’re transported to a random place via Google Street View. The aim is to figure out where in the world this location is. The more accurate your guess, the higher the points you earn. It’s both fun and educational, making it popular among gamers, educators, and livestreamers alike.

Up until recently, it was mostly accessible via its standard web browser version, offering multiple modes, daily puzzles, and a freemium system that permitted limited play per day without a subscription. Now, following its release on Steam, the game known as “Steam Geoguessr” is stirring controversy due to concerns about its monetization strategies and player assumptions.

Geoguessr Steam Reviews: Overwhelmingly Negative

In just a few days following its launch on Steam, the popular game Geoguessr has collected an impressive 2,563 user reviews, but unfortunately, the general sentiment is marked as “Extremely Unfavorable.” This is a significant setback for a game that enjoys widespread acclaim in its original version.

So, what happened?

Many gamers find the monetization strategy for the Steam version misleading. While it’s advertised as “free to play,” users soon discover they need to pay a monthly subscription of approximately $2.99 (or more expensive plans) after just a few gaming sessions. This crucial detail isn’t explicitly mentioned on the Steam page, leading to some confusion among players.

Here are a few brutally honest user reviews:

This free-to-play game disguises a required $30 monthly fee after only a few gaming sessions, which contradicts our approach on Steam.

“Terrific, but it’s frustrating when I have to spend $2.50 monthly on a game they label as free. Instead, I’d rather pay around $15-$25 upfront. Absolutely not interested in a subscription service for Geoguessr.”

The frequent criticism is straightforward: Steam users desire clear pricing and the ability to make a one-time payment to own [the product]. The growing tiredness of subscriptions is indeed a problem, particularly for those who view Geoguessr as a leisure game that doesn’t seem appropriate for a continuous monthly charge.

Geoguessr Steam vs. Browser Version

The controversy becomes even clearer when comparing Geoguessr on Steam with the browser version:

Feature Browser Version Steam Version
Free Play Limited, with 5-minute cooldowns Limited trial, then paywall
Subscription Optional, with multiple tiers Required for continued play
User Expectations Freemium model accepted PC gamers expect full access
Pricing Model Clearer on official site Ambiguous on Steam launch

Although they share the same subscription structure, browser users are generally familiar with its limitations. Conversely, on Steam, where gamers are accustomed to purchasing games upfront, the identical model might be seen as a “switch of the bait” scenario.

Additionally, certain critics pointed out technical flaws and the absence of compatibility with Steam functions like achievements or mod support, which reduced its attractiveness.

What Geoguessr Needs to Fix

To rebuild trust, Geoguessr’s developers could consider:

  • Offering a one-time purchase option for Steam users.
  • Improving transparency on the game’s Steam page regarding required subscriptions.
  • Introducing offline or local play modes as part of a paid version.
  • Enhancing the game with Steam-specific features like achievements, trading cards, or workshop support.

Final Thoughts

The debut of Geoguessr on Steam could have attracted a fresh crowd of geography enthusiasts. However, the launch has instead ignited frustration because of unforeseen paywalls and misaligned expectations. Although the browser version remains popular, the release of Geoguessr on Steam serves as a lesson that each platform caters to distinct user cultures—overlooking these differences can lead to negative consequences.

Until improvements are introduced, players might prefer using the web version for now or keep their fingers crossed for an update on Steam that caters better to gamers.

Read More

2025-05-11 01:44