GeoGuessr Tackles Steam Critiques, Aims to Improve Game for Players

Launched on May 8, GeoGuessr Steam Edition, a Steam reimagining of the immensely popular browser game, has already become the second-worst rated game in Steam's history.

The browser version of GeoGuessr is a massive success, with 85 million players and a wealth of customization options. Players can choose their opponents, select specific maps, decide between urban or rural settings, limit gameplay to certain regions, and toggle movement, panning, and zooming on or off — including the popular "No Moving, Panning, or Zooming" (NMPZ) mode. There's also a rich selection of community-created custom maps.

Since its release last Wednesday, over 3,000 user reviews have been left for the Steam version, and 84% are negative. Most complaints focus on the free-to-play game's monetization and the severe lack of gameplay options compared to the browser edition.

But that's not all that's troubling GeoGuessr fans. If you link your browser GeoGuessr account to Steam, you cannot unlink it and you cannot log out of the Steam version. There's no option to play solo, not even for practice. The free amateur mode appears to be filled with bots instead of real players. Perhaps most surprising, even if you pay to unlock features in the browser version, they do not transfer to the Steam edition.

In its defense, GeoGuessr is transparent about this. Its FAQs state that "having a GeoGuessr browser subscription does not grant you full access to the GeoGuessr Steam Edition, unless you have an Elite Yearly subscription." Unlike the browser version, which requires an annual payment, the Steam Edition's Steam Pass is a "one-time purchase giving you access to the full game for the year." It's also clearly labeled as an early access title, allowing the developers to refine gameplay, add features, and "ensure the best possible experience with direct feedback from players."

However, discussions on both Steam forums and GeoGuessr's subreddit make it clear that the monetization and limited features have caught players off guard.

Although marketed as free-to-play, the Steam version of GeoGuessr offers less than an hour of free content (that's how long it took us to complete it). It includes only one mode, Duels (where you supposedly compete against another human player), and restricts you to the Amateur Division. Without purchasing the $2.50 monthly subscription — which isn't billed monthly but requires a one-time upfront payment of $30 — you can't access higher ranks. Currently, there are no other modes available.

It's important to note that the browser version of GeoGuessr isn't free either. While you can play three rounds per day for free, accessing all modes requires a subscription to one of three premium tiers: Pro Basic at $2.49 per month, Pro Unlimited at $2.99 per month, or Pro Elite at $4.99 per month. Only the latter two include free access to the Steam game.

In an exclusive statement to IGN, GeoGuessr expressed excitement about having "a first version of our game available on Steam, something that has been highly requested by our community for a long time." The Steam rollout "aligns with our vision of letting everyone explore the world, regardless of their preferred platform," adding that "Bringing the game to Steam offers some great new possibilities, like connecting with Steam friends, enabling additional anti-cheat functionality, and so on."

This anti-cheat functionality is crucial to the GeoGuessr community. The browser game has long struggled with cheaters using exploits, bots, or even Google, despite clear community rules against it. The developers likely hope that Steam's infrastructure will help tackle widespread cheating.

"This is a major milestone for us, and also just the beginning," explained Tomas Jonson, Head of Marketing. "The game is currently in Early Access, and we’re committed to expanding and improving both the free and paid experiences over time. Much of the feedback so far has been around the game's monetization, with many players preferring a one-time purchase model."

The developer explained that because GeoGuessr relies on Google Street View data, "where the costs for street view are ongoing and tied to the number of games played," the Steam edition is based on "a model similar to what we use in the browser game."

"The main exception is that the Steam Pass is a non-recurring yearly purchase," Jonson noted.

GeoGuessr expects the Steam version to remain in early access for "at least six months," during which it will "introduce new features and ensure the best possible experience with direct feedback from players." Its Steam page also states plans to "expand" the game with "new modes, maps, and competitive features."

"We really appreciate the high engagement and all the player feedback we have received so far. We’ll continue listening closely and working with the community as we further develop the Steam Edition," Jonson concluded.