GeoGuessr Says It's 'Listening Closely' to Player Feedback as Steam Edition Plummets to Second-Worst Rated Game of All Time on Valve's Platform

GeoGuessr Steam Edition, a newly launched version of one of the world’s most beloved browser games, debuted on Steam just on May 8 — yet it has already become the second-worst rated game of all time on the platform.

The original browser-based GeoGuessr has enjoyed tremendous success, drawing in over 85 million players worldwide. It offers an impressive array of customization features that allow users to tailor their experience — from choosing specific maps and adjusting spawn locations (urban or rural), to toggling movement controls, and even enabling NMPZ (no move, pan, or zoom) gameplay. Additionally, the game includes a wide range of community-created custom maps that further enrich the experience.

However, since its Steam release last Wednesday, the new edition has received over 3,000 user reviews — and 84% of them are negative. Players have expressed frustration with the game’s monetization model and the significant reduction in gameplay options compared to the browser version.

As of May 13, only 16% of user reviews are positive. Image credit: Steam / GeoGuessr.

Beyond the paywall concerns, many players have raised additional issues. Once you link your browser GeoGuessr account to Steam, you cannot unlink it, nor can you log out of the Steam version entirely. Solo play is not supported — even for practice — and the free Amateur Mode appears to be filled with bots rather than real players. Perhaps most surprisingly, any paid subscriptions or unlocked content from the browser version do not carry over to the Steam edition.

GeoGuessr does address these limitations in its FAQs, clarifying that "having a GeoGuessr browser subscription does not grant full access to the GeoGuessr Steam Edition, unless you have an Elite Yearly subscription." Unlike the browser version, which requires an annual subscription, the Steam Edition offers a "one-time purchase" Steam Pass that grants full access for one year. The game is also labeled as an Early Access title, indicating it will continue to evolve through updates, feature additions, and player feedback.

Despite this, both the Steam forums and GeoGuessr subreddit reveal widespread dissatisfaction among players regarding the monetization strategy and missing features.

Although marketed as free-to-play, GeoGuessr Steam offers very limited free content — arguably less than an hour's worth — and currently includes only one mode: Duels, where you compete against another player. Additionally, players start off in the lowest tier, the Amateur Division. To progress beyond that, a $2.50 monthly subscription is required — though billed as a single upfront payment of $30 per year. Without it, higher ranks remain locked, and no other modes are available at launch.

GeoGuessr's three premium plans for its browser game. Image credit: GeoGuessr.

It's important to note that the browser version isn’t free either. While players can enjoy three rounds daily without charge, unlocking all modes requires subscribing to one of three tiers: Pro Basic at $2.49/month, Pro Unlimited at $2.99/month, or Pro Elite at $4.99/month. Only the latter two subscriptions include access to the Steam Edition.

In a statement to IGN, GeoGuessr expressed enthusiasm about launching on Steam, noting it was “excited to have a first version of our game available on Steam, something that has been highly requested by our community for a long time.” The company added that the release aligns with its mission “of letting everyone explore the world, regardless of their preferred platform,” and highlighted new benefits like Steam friend integration and enhanced anti-cheat capabilities.

Anti-cheat functionality is especially critical for GeoGuessr, as the browser version has long struggled with cheating via exploits, bots, or even direct use of Google search tools — despite being explicitly against the rules. With Steam’s infrastructure, the developers hope to create a fairer and more secure environment.

“This is a major milestone for us, and also just the beginning,” said 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 centered around the monetization model, with many players expressing a preference for a one-time purchase option.”

According to the developer, GeoGuessr relies heavily on data from Google Street View, which incurs ongoing costs based on usage. This is why the monetization structure mirrors that of the browser version. However, the Steam Pass itself is a non-recurring yearly purchase, which sets it apart from the recurring billing of the web-based tiers.

The Steam version is expected to remain in early access for “at least six months,” during which time the team plans to roll out new features, including additional modes, maps, and competitive elements. As stated on the Steam page, the goal is to “expand” the game while refining the overall experience with direct input from players.

“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.