[b][quote][url=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asset_flip]Warning: Asset Flip![/url][/quote][/b]
Ball Twist is a Unity Asset flip, what Valve calls a "fake game". The "developer", DIG Games/QuickBobber, took the [url=https://assetstore.unity.com/packages/3d/characters/zigzag-endless-runner-complete-game-template-54018]ZigZag Endless Runner [/url] Unity Store game assets from the real developers, Mario Ostwald, changed the name, and dumped the result onto Steam. They're attempting to scam people into buying this, so they can get your money for someone else's work.
Because this is an almost exact 1:1 copy + paste of the original Unity asset, it's in violation of the [url=https://unity.com/legal/as-terms]Unity Asset Store Terms of Service and EULA[/url]. Specifically, Section 2, Subsection 2.2.1a:
[quote][i]Subject to the restrictions set forth in this EULA, Licensor hereby grants to the END-USER a non-exclusive, non-transferable, worldwide, and perpetual license to the Asset solely:(a) to incorporate the Asset, [b]together with substantial, original content not obtained through the Unity Asset Store[/b], into an electronic application or digital media that has a purpose, features, and functions beyond the display, performance, distribution, or use of Assets ("Licensed Product") as an embedded component of that Licensed Product, [b]such that the Asset does not comprise a substantial portion of the Licensed Product[/b][/i][/quote]
Because the developer misused the asset pack such that it comprises the vast majority of this "game", the developer has unethically and deliberately breached the license agreement. Worse, this intellectual property violation was done in an attempt to profit from their illicit actions. Why is this permitted on Steam?
DIG Games/QuickBobber has shown a repeat pattern of unethically dumping other people's work onto Steam as a cheap, nasty cash grab. Here's some examples so you can see for yourself:
[list]
[*] "[url=https://store.steampowered.com/app/1807920]Breakdown[/url]" = [url=https://assetstore.unity.com/packages/templates/packs/stack-ball-template-editor-142697]Stack Ball Template[/url] developed by Watermelon Games
[*] "[url=https://store.steampowered.com/app/1860110]Rabbit Canyon[/url]" = [url=https://unitylist.com/p/i0w/Rabbit-Runner]Rabbit Runner[/url] developed by OpticGenius
[*] "[url=https://store.steampowered.com/app/1623550]Hexes[/url]" = [url=https://assetstore.unity.com/packages/templates/packs/hexa-puzzle-block-85474]Hexa Puzzle Block[/url] developed by Superpow
[*] "[url=https://store.steampowered.com/app/1907620]Gamma Space[/url]" = [url=https://marketplace.gamemaker.io/assets/8516/gmsasteroids]GMSAsteroids[/url] developed by FiveSprites
[*] "[url=https://store.steampowered.com/app/1814100]In Shape 2[/url]" = [url=https://assetstore.unity.com/packages/templates/packs/shape-change-complete-game-142295]Shape Change Complete Game[/url] developed by Ragendom
[*] "[url=https://store.steampowered.com/app/1781330]In Shape[/url]" = [url=https://assetstore.unity.com/packages/templates/packs/shape-swipe-complete-game-template-ready-for-release-66747]Shape Swipe Complete Game Template[/url] developed by App Advisory
[*] "[url=https://store.steampowered.com/app/1512320]Yabgits: Haunted Cemetery[/url]" = [url=https://assetstore.unity.com/packages/templates/packs/block-breaker-template-63173]Block Breaker Template[/url] developed by Daniel Buckley
[*] "[url=https://store.steampowered.com/app/1618000]Monkey Hit[/url]" = [url=https://assetstore.unity.com/packages/templates/packs/kong-hero-platformer-complete-game-template-66709]Kong Hero – Platformer Complete Game Template[/url] developed by ADDPGAMES
[*] "[url=https://store.steampowered.com/app/1022040]Candy Mandy[/url]" = [url=https://assetstore.unity.com/packages/templates/systems/match-3-jelly-garden-kit-43260]Match 3 Jelly Garden Kit[/url] developed by Candy Smith
[*] "[url=https://store.steampowered.com/app/1605530]Upside[/url]" = [url=https://www.sellanycode.com/item/1295/rise-up-unity-source-code-admob-unity-ads]Rise Up Unity Source Code[/url] developed by SellAnyCode
[*] "[url=https://store.steampowered.com/app/1769390]Lack of Water[/url]" = [url=https://www.sellanycode.com/item/297/happy-glass]Happy Glass Source Code[/url] developed by SellAnyCode
[*] "[url=https://store.steampowered.com/app/1235480]Abst Clicker Farm[/url]" = [url=https://marketplace.gamemaker.io/assets/4936/bit-clicking-engine]Bit Clicking Engine[/url] developed by Mfzz99
[*] "[url=https://store.steampowered.com/app/1786570]Driftence[/url]" = [url=https://assetstore.unity.com/packages/templates/systems/extreme-drift-88601]Extreme Drift[/url] developed by Mehdi Rabiee
[*] "[url=https://store.steampowered.com/app/1161660]Puzzlection[/url]" = [url=https://github.com/♥♥♥♥-Just-Got-Real-Studios/Jigsaw]Jigsaw[/url] developed by Sh*t-Just-Got-Real Studios
[*] "[url=https://store.steampowered.com/app/1265130]iMemo[/url]" = [url=https://assetstore.unity.com/packages/templates/packs/memory-game-starter-kit-19589]Memory Game Starter Kit[/url] developed by Eikester
[*] "[url=https://store.steampowered.com/app/1646600]ReBall[/url]" = [url=https://assetstore.unity.com/packages/templates/packs/ballx-infinite-brick-breaker-complete-game-template-87125]BallX - Infinite Brick Breaker - Complete Game Template[/url] developed by App Advisory
[/list]
The products that result from asset flips aren't "real" games. They lack depth and content, because they're just simplistic copies of demos or tutorials. In this case, "ZigZag Endless Runner " is just a Unity asset pack for a minimalist endless runner mobile app, and doesn't have any merit as a proper, fully fledged PC game. It's just a minimum viable product, just enough to get through the non-existent quality control on Steam Direct. Not a real game.
Asset flips don't involve any professional game development. Sure, sometimes they may change a few cosmetic things, swap out different assets etc, but at heart it's functionally identical to the asset they're ripping off.
Asset flips like this are harmful to the gaming industry and to Steam because they reduce the visibility that sincerely made indie games should have, and make it harder for gamers to find real games from genuine developers.
Let's talk about price and the value this represents for us gamers. Should you buy this game? Is it among the best the Steam catalogue has to offer?
Ball Twist has the cash grab price of around $4 USD, it's not worth it given the defects and shortcomings with the product, especially considering the unethical nature of the developer.
The poor quality of this game is reflected by how many people spent time with it. At the time of this review, SteamDB shows the all-time peak player number was [b]only 2 players[/b]. This is a remarkably low number, and now, the only player activity occurs once or twice a month, presumably someone loading it up to see what it is then quickly uninstalling it. Considering there's over 130 million gamers on Steam and well over 140,000 games for gamers to choose from, the overwhelming lack of interest in this low quality game is to be expected.
Given the defects and quality issues with the game, coupled with the unrealistic price, and the questionable ethical nature of the developer and/or their associates (as outlined above), this is impossible to recommend. Because this is just a fake game/cash grab scam, and due to the sheer unethical nature of the developer, you should avoid this completely. Don't reward this morally bankrupt, unethical behaviour from DIG Games.
