Hyperkin, a well-known manufacturer of retro gaming accessories, has issued a formal apology to its community following a string of delayed launches and communication issues surrounding its products.
The company, which has a history of announcing new hardware and then remaining silent for extended periods, found itself under scrutiny after products like the RetroN GX, announced in 2022, only recently reached the market.
Similarly, the Mega 95 portable Genesis console, teased last year, has yet to be released.
In addition to hardware delays, Hyperkin faced criticism with the announcement of new 'recooked' guitar controllers that are limited to compatibility with Wii and PlayStation 3—prompting backlash from fans who compared them unfavorably with rivals, such as CRKD, whose guitar peripherals support modern platforms including the Nintendo Switch and current-generation hardware.
Community frustration grew further when it was revealed that product images related to the new guitars had reportedly been generated using artificial intelligence, raising concerns about authenticity and transparency. To address these concerns, Hyperkin released a statement on social media acknowledging past shortcomings.
In clear terms, the Hyperkin team expressed regret for their actions: “We owe our community an apology.
As a company, we have made promises we did not fulfill and failed to maintain open communication, disappointing countless fans.
We take full responsibility for these mistakes.” The company emphasized that the situation surrounding the guitar controllers was a prime example of their oversight in communicating product status, and made it clear there would be no more excuses. Hyperkin indicated that recent organizational changes signal a new direction for the company, hinting at a shift in leadership intended to cultivate greater transparency: “It is time to break the habit.
With a new team in place, we are committed to making transparency, reliable communication, and uncompromising quality the cornerstone of our operations.” The company went on to outline three core principles guiding their renewed effort: 1.
Transparency: Product updates will be shared only when development progress allows for confidence in delivery. 2.
Consistent Connection: Regular communication will be maintained, particularly when issues arise, so the community is kept informed at all times. 3.
Uncompromising Quality: Hyperkin pledges to enhance its quality control process and encourage feedback from the gaming community to deliver hardware that consistently meets or exceeds expectations. Concluding their statement, Hyperkin expressed gratitude to their fans and supporters, acknowledging the patience shown throughout previous missteps.
The company affirmed its goal to build trust by connecting victories and setbacks alike to clear, public communication: “For every achievement, there will be an announcement.
For every shortfall, a statement.
As the new Hyperkin, we will strive to be better, remain open, and ensure community voices are heard.” This renewed commitment from Hyperkin signals a new chapter for the retro accessory maker, as it seeks to rebuild trust with its fanbase and maintain a competitive edge in the rapidly evolving retro gaming hardware space.
The company, which has a history of announcing new hardware and then remaining silent for extended periods, found itself under scrutiny after products like the RetroN GX, announced in 2022, only recently reached the market.
Similarly, the Mega 95 portable Genesis console, teased last year, has yet to be released.
In addition to hardware delays, Hyperkin faced criticism with the announcement of new 'recooked' guitar controllers that are limited to compatibility with Wii and PlayStation 3—prompting backlash from fans who compared them unfavorably with rivals, such as CRKD, whose guitar peripherals support modern platforms including the Nintendo Switch and current-generation hardware.
Community frustration grew further when it was revealed that product images related to the new guitars had reportedly been generated using artificial intelligence, raising concerns about authenticity and transparency. To address these concerns, Hyperkin released a statement on social media acknowledging past shortcomings.
In clear terms, the Hyperkin team expressed regret for their actions: “We owe our community an apology.
As a company, we have made promises we did not fulfill and failed to maintain open communication, disappointing countless fans.
We take full responsibility for these mistakes.” The company emphasized that the situation surrounding the guitar controllers was a prime example of their oversight in communicating product status, and made it clear there would be no more excuses. Hyperkin indicated that recent organizational changes signal a new direction for the company, hinting at a shift in leadership intended to cultivate greater transparency: “It is time to break the habit.
With a new team in place, we are committed to making transparency, reliable communication, and uncompromising quality the cornerstone of our operations.” The company went on to outline three core principles guiding their renewed effort: 1.
Transparency: Product updates will be shared only when development progress allows for confidence in delivery. 2.
Consistent Connection: Regular communication will be maintained, particularly when issues arise, so the community is kept informed at all times. 3.
Uncompromising Quality: Hyperkin pledges to enhance its quality control process and encourage feedback from the gaming community to deliver hardware that consistently meets or exceeds expectations. Concluding their statement, Hyperkin expressed gratitude to their fans and supporters, acknowledging the patience shown throughout previous missteps.
The company affirmed its goal to build trust by connecting victories and setbacks alike to clear, public communication: “For every achievement, there will be an announcement.
For every shortfall, a statement.
As the new Hyperkin, we will strive to be better, remain open, and ensure community voices are heard.” This renewed commitment from Hyperkin signals a new chapter for the retro accessory maker, as it seeks to rebuild trust with its fanbase and maintain a competitive edge in the rapidly evolving retro gaming hardware space.
