Streamer Asmongold critiques Horizon and Ubisoft developers’ Elden Ring criticism, analyzing design philosophy differences
The Developer Criticism Controversy
Popular Twitch streamer Asmongold has entered the gaming discourse surrounding Elden Ring, specifically addressing critical comments from developers at Horizon and Ubisoft studios. The controversy emerged when industry professionals publicly questioned the game’s design choices despite its overwhelming critical and commercial success.
Asmongold delivered a pointed response to developers from Horizon Zero Dawn and Ubisoft who criticized Elden Ring’s approach to sidequests and user experience design, labeling their perspective as fundamentally “delusional” regarding player preferences.
Despite achieving near-universal critical acclaim and ranking among the highest-rated releases of the year, Elden Ring faced unexpected criticism from within the game development community. This created a fascinating divide between professional reviewers, players, and fellow developers.
Developers from Horizon Forbidden West and various Ubisoft titles took to social media platforms to critique specific elements of Elden Ring’s design, particularly its approach to sidequest structure and user interface decisions. These criticisms sparked immediate backlash from the game’s dedicated player base.
Asmongold entered the conversation with his characteristic directness, arguing that the criticism from competing developers reflects a fundamental misunderstanding of what makes Elden Ring resonate so strongly with players compared to other open-world titles.
Asmongold’s Core Arguments Against Developer Criticism
“They apparently cannot comprehend why their development efforts don’t receive equivalent praise? This indicates they’re operating under delusions about game quality,” Asmongold stated emphatically. “When developers fail to recognize why Elden Ring earns such acclaim while their own projects receive mixed responses, it suggests they might be in the wrong profession.”
Asmongold contrasted the reception of Horizon Forbidden West—which earned praise for its stunning visual presentation and expansive world design—with Elden Ring’s broader appeal. He noted that while Horizon impressed technically, players frequently criticized its lack of mechanical innovation and reliance on established formulas.
“The fundamental reason for Elden Ring’s innovative success lies in FromSoftware’s ability to understand player psychology and deliver both what audiences explicitly want and what they subconsciously need,” Asmongold explained. “Ultimately, director Hidetaka Miyazaki and the FromSoftware team demonstrate an exceptional understanding of their customer base that other studios seem to lack.”
This perspective highlights a critical divide in modern game development philosophy. FromSoftware prioritizes organic discovery and player agency, while many Western studios focus on accessibility and guided experiences. Understanding this distinction helps explain why certain design decisions that developers might view as flaws are actually celebrated by Elden Ring’s audience.
The controversy also reveals differing attitudes toward player intelligence. Elden Ring treats players as intelligent explorers capable of figuring things out independently, while many contemporary games implement extensive hand-holding systems that can undermine the sense of accomplishment.
Comparing Design Philosophies: Elden Ring vs. Competitors
Asmongold slams shroud demanding Arc Raiders win GOTY over “generational” Expedition 33
A24’s Elden Ring movie set to be an “epic” after Alex Garland’s enormous script
The Witcher 4 dev admits they are worried about living up to Witcher 3
When examining Horizon Forbidden West specifically, the game excels in technical polish and narrative presentation but follows a more conventional open-world template. The gameplay loop involves clearing map markers, completing clearly defined objectives, and progressing through a heavily scripted storyline—approaches that Elden Ring deliberately avoids.
Ubisoft’s design methodology represents an even more extreme version of this formulaic approach. Their open-world titles typically feature extensive checklist-style content, constant UI guidance, and progression systems that prioritize quantity over meaningful engagement. Elden Ring’s design rejects these conventions in favor of environmental storytelling and emergent gameplay moments.
FromSoftware’s philosophy centers on creating worlds that feel independently functional rather than designed explicitly for player consumption. This results in a more immersive experience where players feel like visitors to a living world rather than the center of its universe—a subtle but profound distinction that contributes significantly to Elden Ring’s appeal.
Practical consideration for players: When choosing between these design approaches, consider whether you prefer structured guidance and clear objectives (Horizon/Ubisoft) or organic exploration and self-directed discovery (Elden Ring). Your preference will significantly impact which games provide the most satisfying experience.
Key Factors Behind Elden Ring’s Massive Success
Naturally, Elden Ring had its share of technical challenges at launch, particularly on PC where performance issues were widely reported. These problems have been largely addressed through subsequent patches, but Asmongold identifies two more fundamental reasons for the game’s overwhelming success beyond technical execution.
“I believe players gravitate toward Elden Ring because it completely avoids pay-to-win mechanics, convenience microtransactions, and other monetization strategies that have become commonplace,” Asmongold observed. “Additionally, the game refrains from overtly injecting real-world developer perspectives or political commentary that could detract from the immersive experience.”
These factors represent a growing consumer preference in the gaming market. Players increasingly value complete experiences without fragmented content locked behind additional payments. Elden Ring’s approach to monetization respects the player’s investment both financially and emotionally.
The absence of overt real-world commentary allows for more universal thematic resonance. While the game contains deep lore and philosophical themes, they’re presented through the lens of its fictional world rather than direct allegory, making the experience more accessible across different cultural and political perspectives.
Common mistake to avoid: Don’t judge Elden Ring’s design choices through the lens of conventional open-world games. Its seemingly “dated” UX decisions often serve deliberate design purposes that enhance rather than detract from the experience when understood in context.
Practical Insights for Game Developers and Players
Regardless of individual opinions about Elden Ring and open-world games generally, this ongoing discussion has captured significant attention from all sides of the gaming community.
Be sure to visit our Elden Ring hub for current updates and comprehensive guides.
Elden Ring Uchigatana | Elden Ring Moonveil Katana | How to change your appearance in Elden Ring | How to respec your character | Academy Glintstone Key | Smithing Stones | Elden Ring Stonedigger Troll | Elden Ring Margit the Fell Omen | Elden Ring Tree Sentinel | Elden Ring Grave Warden | Elden Ring Pumpkin Head | Elden Ring Soldier of Godrick | Elden Ring Godrick the Grafted | Elden Ring Red Wolf of Redagon | Best Elden Ring settings
The Asmongold controversy provides valuable lessons for both developers and players. For developers, it underscores the importance of understanding that technical excellence alone doesn’t guarantee player satisfaction—design philosophy and respect for player intelligence matter profoundly.
For players, this discussion offers framework for evaluating games beyond surface-level features. Considering a title’s underlying design philosophy, monetization approach, and treatment of player agency can lead to more satisfying purchasing decisions and gameplay experiences.
Looking forward, this controversy may signal a shifting industry landscape where player preferences for substantive, respectful design increasingly influence development priorities. Studios that adapt to these expectations while maintaining their creative vision will likely find the greatest success in the evolving gaming market.
No reproduction without permission：SeeYouSoon Game Club » Asmongold calls out “delusional” Horizon and Ubisoft devs critizing Elden Ring Streamer Asmongold critiques Horizon and Ubisoft developers' Elden Ring criticism, analyzing design philosophy differences