I think paying out three days after the game is released is a bit too early.
I'm not familiar with the MetaCritic score dynamics, but I watch closely how popular games fare on GameRankings. There you will see big name sites set on a score almost simulatenously with the game release (when the embargos drop, I presume); however, in the next month or so dozens of smaller sites add their reviews, usually dragging down the score with their attempts to be seen as more objective, or the fact that they are specialized and review games quite outside of their field of competence.
I suggest using at least two weeks after the game release, preferably a month.
5
I'm not familiar with the MetaCritic score dynamics, but I watch closely how popular games fare on GameRankings. There you will see big name sites set on a score almost simulatenously with the game release (when the embargos drop, I presume); however, in the next month or so dozens of smaller sites add their reviews, usually dragging down the score with their attempts to be seen as more objective, or the fact that they are specialized and review games quite outside of their field of competence.
I suggest using at least two weeks after the game release, preferably a month.