In a bizarre twist of fate, fans of the popular multiplayer extraction shooter Arc Raiders have launched a review bombing campaign against a hotel in Italy, all because of an unexpected coincidence. The Hotel Stella Montis, located in northern Italy, has seen a surge of user reviews on Google from gamers, driven by the fact that a map in Arc Raiders bears the same name.
A Strange Coincidence Sparks Online Frenzy
Arc Raiders, developed and published by Embark Studios, has been a massive success since its launch in October, acclaimed as one of the biggest multiplayer shooters in recent years. It won Best Multiplayer at The Game Awards 2025 and was Google's most searched game of 2025, outperforming even GTA 6. However, its popularity has now extended beyond the gaming world to impact a real-world business.
The connection stems from a map named Stella Montis, added to Arc Raiders in a November update. This in-game location is a research facility set in snowy mountains, with no relation to hospitality. Yet, fans have taken note of the shared name with the Hotel Stella Montis, leading to a flood of humorous and misleading reviews on the hotel's Google page.
Fake Reviews Cause Confusion and Concern
While many of the reviews are positive, awarding five-star ratings, their content references game elements that could alarm unsuspecting visitors. For instance, one review warns, 'It's awesome, just be careful because the shredders are brutal. Take cover when they scream, otherwise the bullets will hit you and you'll be back in the lobby faster than you can blink,' alluding to enemy characters in Arc Raiders.
Another mentions, 'Never go trios here, it would be chaos and you would lose all your goop,' using gaming slang for 'gear on other players.' Additionally, numerous reviews joke about rats, inspired by creatures found in the game's Stella Montis map, with some even downgrading the hotel's rating based on this fictional issue.
This has raised concerns that potential guests might mistakenly believe the hotel has a genuine rat infestation or other problems, potentially harming its reputation and business. On Reddit, the Arc Raiders community is divided: some see it as harmless fun that could boost the hotel's visibility, while others argue it's gone too far.
Community Debate and Potential Repercussions
User rilsoe commented on the subreddit, 'While this is good fun, I can't imagine the sheer panic the management must feel getting review bombed like this (regardless of the amount of stars given).' Others, like Jesus-Bacon, countered, 'Reviews telling guests there are rats and multiple killings in the lobby is likely to turn away business regardless of star ratings. These idiots don't give a s*** about potentially hurting a business over a meme.'
As of now, neither the Hotel Stella Montis nor Embark Studios has issued any public statement regarding the situation. The hotel could report the reviews to Google as fraudulent to have them removed, but it remains unclear if they are aware of the influx. This incident highlights the unpredictable ways in which online gaming communities can influence real-world entities, blurring the lines between virtual entertainment and tangible consequences.
