Summary
On behalf ofValnet, Inc, I am excited to officially announce the acquisition ofOpenCritic.com, the leading video game review aggregator on the internet.
OpenCritic is well-known for giving gaming enthusiasts clear, unbiased aggregation of game reviews, proving an invaluable service to the gaming industry as a whole. Established in 2015, OpenCritic aggregates ratings from various trusted sources that are manually approved and integrated. When a game releases, it averages those ratings, giving readers a straightforward review score and other critical insights, such as what percentage of reviewers recommend a game and its relative ranking compared to all other games on the platform.
OpenCritic gives equal weight to all publications, ensuring anaccurate critic scorewithout favoring specific sources compared to competitors. This commitment to transparency and user focus has made OpenCritic a trusted source of gaming reviews from its inception.
Joining The Odyssey Group at Valnet
OpenCritic is now part of ourOdyssey Group, the iconic gaming portfolio of Valnet, Inc, which includesGame Rant,TheGamer,DualShockers, andHardcore Gamer. Our content, created by gaming experts from all walks of life, reaches over 100 million gamers every month, according to ComScore. WithOpenCriticin the mix as the authority on game reviews, our audience will now have access to even more unique content to complement our focus on breaking news, detailed game guides, extensive databases, gaming hubs focused on written and video content, and more.
We’ve already started implementing OpenCritic into our publications, allowing users to quickly access review scores.
Leveling up OpenCritic
We’re excited to take OpenCritic to the next level. We’ve got big plans to make it the ultimate social network for gamers, with new, unique features that boostsocial interaction,community engagement, and library building for our userbase. To accomplish this goal, we’ve hired a dedicated development team tasked with driving innovation and continuously improving the brand.
James Kosur, our Head of Marketing, says it best: “We’re putting numerous resources into OpenCritic’s infrastructure. Our experience in video game media publishing has given us a ton of insight, and we’re ready to deliver features that we continuously see gamers looking for within the gaming vertical.”
We’re moving fast and are nurturing our currentAPI Partnerssuch as our integration with the Epic Game Store, GOG, Newzoo, Humble Bundle, and Gamesplanet.
We’ve also launched agaming news syndication platformso readers can stay up-to-date with the latest gaming news, trends, and updates from a variety of top-tier publishers. Current OpenCritic outlets will be eligible for integration.
I’m excited to have Matthew Enthoven, Co-Founder of OpenCritic, staying onboard. Enthoven told me,
“With Valnet’s experience and resources, OpenCritic is set for continued growth. I’m thrilled to be part of this journey and look forward to the innovative opportunities ahead. This acquisition aligns with our mission to deliver top-notch, engaging, and informative content to gamers everywhere. By combining Valnet’s resources with OpenCritic’s expertise, we’re ready to set new industry standards and deliver the needs of even more passionate gaming enthusiasts.”
Valnet’s acquisition and investment into OpenCritic is a strategic move that will contribute to the growth and evolution of our gaming vertical. I’m excited to continue fostering and growing a thriving community of knowledgeable and passionate gamers, and I can’t wait to work closely with the team to develop the platform.
In 2023, we acquiredHardcore Gamerand rapidly transformed the publication into a hub for gaming databases and tooltip technology with the integration of Valnet’s proprietary content management system, EMAKI. With OpenCritic, we are committed to bringing the same level of investment and innovation to the platform.
