Unveiling the Mysteries of Metacritic: An Exclusive Interview with Co-Founder Marc Doyle

Metacritic was launched in 2001 by Marc Doyle, his sister Julie Doyle Roberts, and their friend Jason Dietz, all of whom had a background in law. The idea for the site was born out of a desire to help people make informed decisions about how to spend their time and money on entertainment, by aggregating reviews from reputable critics. Over the years, Metacritic has undergone several changes in ownership, but its core mission has remained the same. The site's scoring system has been the subject of much debate, with some companies even tying employee bonuses to Metacritic scores. However, Doyle emphasizes that Metacritic's role is solely to provide a reliable indicator of quality, and not to influence the gaming industry. The site uses a complex algorithm to calculate its scores, taking into account the reviews from various critics and publications. Doyle reveals that the site gives more weight to reviews from experienced critics and reputable publications, but the exact methodology is kept secret. One of the most significant challenges Metacritic faces is the issue of re-reviews. As games continue to evolve through updates and expansions, some critics have begun to re-evaluate their initial reviews. However, Metacritic's policy is to only consider the original review, in order to maintain a historical record of a game's reception at the time of its release. Doyle acknowledges that this policy can sometimes result in a game's Metacritic score becoming outdated, but he believes it is essential to preserving the site's integrity. The process of selecting which critics and publications to include on Metacritic is rigorous and involves a thorough evaluation of their credibility and expertise. Doyle uses a questionnaire to assess the qualifications and standards of potential contributors, and he also consults with a group of trusted advisors from the gaming industry. The site has become more international over the years, but Doyle is cautious when it comes to adding new publications, particularly those with potential conflicts of interest. The rise of non-traditional media, such as YouTubers and streamers, has also prompted Metacritic to consider expanding its scope. While Doyle is open to including video reviews, he emphasizes the importance of maintaining a formal review format, with a written component and a clear argument. As for the threat of AI replacing human critics, Doyle believes that human judgment and expertise are essential to providing a reliable and trustworthy review aggregation service. He sees Metacritic's role as highlighting the work of individual critics and publications, and providing a platform for them to share their opinions with a wider audience.