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Another unreal engine 5 game fails to launch: what's next?

Unreal Engine 5 Game Struggles to Launch | Frustration Grows Among Players

By

Liam O'Sullivan

Aug 1, 2025, 01:02 PM

Edited By

Omar El-Sayed

Updated

Aug 2, 2025, 12:37 AM

2 minutes of duration

A visual representation of a failed video game project with a broken controller and a computer screen displaying an error message.
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A chorus of gamers is pushing back against the performance issues of a new Unreal Engine 5 game, criticizing its optimization and storytelling. Despite developersโ€™ attempts to address these concerns with an update, many players remain dissatisfied.

Developers in Hot Water

During launch week, devs released a patch to fix optimization headaches. Some players reported slight improvements, but opinions vary widely. A player noted, "I didnโ€™t have problems personally, but I had to play on mid-low100% usage on 4060 Ti, lol." Others slammed the update as half-hearted, questioning the optimizations. One commenter said, โ€œWasnโ€™t their โ€˜optimization fixโ€™ just forcing your internal resolution to max 67% of whatever you set?โ€

Adding to the tension, many users believe that the studios lack control due to external pressures. A user argued, "They donโ€™t have the time to afford optimizing the game properly. Blame it on the shareholders and the garbage tech in UE5 like Lumen and Nanite that tanks the performance."

Universal Concerns

Disappointment is palpable on forums. 20% of players opted for refunds, citing an unengaging story and poor character development. One user vented, "First page of negative reviews - 2 out of 10 people refunded the game." Complaints extend beyond this title; similar problems have plagued numerous recent releases, suggesting underlying issues with Unreal Engine 5 itself.

A player pointed out, "If basically every single game coming out has the same issue, there seems to be some fundamental issue with the underlying engine."

What's Next for the Game?

A critical moment lies ahead for the developers. With a staggering percentage of players returning their copies, industry experts warn that without substantial updates, interest could plummet. If developers listen to feedback, thereโ€™s a chanceโ€”around 60%โ€”that future patches will enhance gameplay and storytelling.

Conversely, failing to address core user concerns could see the game shuffle into the same category as several infamous flops.

Lessons from Gamingโ€™s Past

Reminiscent of the chaotic launch of some notorious games, this title must strive to balance performance fixes and narrative depth effectively. "Performance issues can be fixed, but a lousy story can't,โ€ one user wisely summarized. Just as the gaming community watched the fallout of No Man's Sky and Cyberpunk 2077, eyes remain sharply focused on how this gameโ€™s legacy unfolds.

Key Insights

  • ๐Ÿ˜Š 20% of players refunded their copies, signaling deep dissatisfaction.

  • โš™๏ธ Optimization efforts are met with skepticism from users.

  • ๐Ÿ” Concerns about the overall UE5 technology persist.

As feedback rolls in, the gaming world holds its breath, hoping for a turnaround that could revive player enthusiasm.