The YouTuber SkillUp is known in the shooter community for his detailed and critical reviews. However, he will not be releasing a review upon the launch of Cyberpunk 2077 as a protest against the strict review guidelines and the fact that CD Projekt Red is not distributing console versions (PS5, PS4, Xbox One, Xbox Series X).
Who is SkillUp? SkillUp is a medium-sized YouTuber with 655,000 subscribers, but he is a prominent figure in the field of shooters and MMOs. He is known for his in-depth, detailed reviews which are frequently discussed within the community.
Originally, SkillUp made a name for himself with regular videos on The Division before becoming a variety YouTuber focused on reviews.
It is noticeable that he often takes a critically industrial stance:
- For instance, SkillUp deleted his positive review of Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 in protest against the retroactively added microtransactions.
- And he expressed strong criticism against the survival MMO Fallout 76 – which he even called a fraud.
YouTuber is not allowed to use his own gameplay material
This is what he says about Cyberpunk 2077: SkillUp says: He completed Cyberpunk 2077, but will not publish a review at release. Because he cannot adhere to the strict requirements from CD Projekt Red:
- The embargo guidelines prohibit SkillUp from using his own gameplay; he must rely on B-roll, and can only use material from the trailers.
- He rejects the use of trailer material in a review. A review should not be a vehicle to spread more marketing material.
- Moreover, it requires own gameplay to show in a review how the game really looks – Cyberpunk 2077 is fantastic, but it is clear that it is “still unfinished” and only own material can show this state of the game.
No test versions distributed for consoles
Furthermore, SkillUp states: No versions were distributed for the consoles (PS4/PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X). Therefore, no reviewer can currently state how the game runs on consoles.
What’s next: SkillUp has announced he will post his review with a delay. When he publishes the review after the embargo expires, he will also be able to use his own gameplay material.
This is how it is discussed: SkillUp’s statements trigger a discussion on reddit. Especially the decision of CD Projekt Red not to release console versions early is criticized.
Also, the ban on showing “own footage” meets with misunderstanding from reddit users.
Other users say: It is entirely normal for massive role-playing games to be “quite buggy” at release. They are not simple “shoot-and-shoot” games like Call of Duty.
We will not cover Cyberpunk 2077 on MeinMMO as extensively as other major players at release. Because the multiplayer mode is still missing at launch. CD Projekt Red is expected to add it later. There is even talk that it will not only be a multiplayer mode but a “large AAA project”:
Cyberpunk 2077: What about the multiplayer? The head explains the current status
