On January 30th, 2025 a new review aggregator website called CriticDB will launch with Rutledge Daugette, the founder of TechRaptor at the helm. But why am I talking about this?
Well, first of all. I’m excited to be included as one of the 75+ review outlets that will be present when the site launches. Secondly, CriticDB is going to be the type of useful gaming resource I really think we need right now. It’s for reviewers like me, PR folks, and your everyday gamer who’s just looking for something to play. There are a few features that stand out to me that I want to go over real quick.
You can find a video version of this article on YouTube!
Firstly, CriticDB is going to be an alternative to MetaCritic and Open Critic, without adding hidden weights to certain outlets or giving some of them a special badge. If an Outlet is on CriticDB, they are on level ground with every other Outlet. The point of reviews is to help people make informed decisions about what games they might want to play, and that’s where the focus should be.
However, CriticDB also aims to be more than just an aggregator. It’s got a focus on discovery to help you find reviewers and games that might interest you, even lesser-known ones you might have otherwise missed. There’s a handy new release list and an upcoming games page to help you keep track of games that are releasing soon. The community is meant to play a part too, by adding and tagging similar games together.
You can also use CriticDB to manage your game collection using lists of games you have beaten, your wishlist, favorites, and more. You can also follow specific creators (like me!) directly on the website.
On my end, CriticDB is going to partner with PR reps to connect them to reviewers and outlets to help facilitate the act of putting reviews in front of you in the first place.
Most importantly, the team at CriticDB seems to share my values on the importance of both game discovery and campaigning for those who work in all sectors of the industry. CriticDB will not be using generative AI tools, and any outlets that use AI for their reviews are disqualified from using the platform.
I’m hoping CriticDB can serve as a kind of gaming haven, in a climate where machine-led search algorithms are squeezing out the useful content you could actually use in favor of nonsense. By using CriticDB, you should be able to find new games, stay informed about those games, and take part in a community centered around those games.
I’m definitely excited about it, so be sure to check it out when CriticDB launches later this month.