Metacritic has removed a Resident Evil Requiem review after discovering it was authored by a fictitious person and likely generated by artificial intelligence. The review, which received a score of 9/10, was published by UK-based website Videogamer.com and attributed to “Brian Merrygold,” described as an experienced iGaming and sports betting analyst.
Concerns were raised when it was found that Merrygold does not appear to exist, and the author’s profile image contained a filename suggesting it was created by ChatGPT in October 2025. This incident highlights a growing trend of AI-generated content appearing on online platforms, raising questions about authenticity and editorial standards. Metacritic co-founder Marc Doyle acknowledged the issue, stating, “The RE Requiem review and a handful of other Videogamer reviews from 2026 have been removed.”
The situation unfolded after Videogamer.com was acquired by Clickout Media in August 2025, leading to the layoff of its editorial staff and a shift towards AI-generated content. The website now focuses on video and casino games, featuring articles such as “Best Crypto Casinos in Malaysia for 2026.” According to reports, the use of AI-generated personas for video game coverage began this month. Doyle further explained that Metacritic maintains a vetting process for publications, but challenges can arise following ownership changes or staff turnover, potentially leading to issues like plagiarism or AI-generated reviews. This case underscores the challenges facing review aggregators in maintaining content quality as media landscapes evolve.
The broader media industry has experienced significant layoffs in recent years, including recent cuts at Eurogamer and other websites under IGN Entertainment.
