[b][quote][url=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asset_flip]Warning: Asset Flip![/url][/quote][/b]
Hidden Western Top-Down 3D is a Unity Asset flip, what Valve calls a "fake game". The "developer", Top-Down Games/Hede, took the [url=https://assetstore.unity.com/packages/3d/environments/historic/polygon-western-low-poly-3d-art-by-synty-112212]Polygon Western - Low Poly 3D Art Pack[/url] Unity Store tutorial/demo/game asset pack from the real developers, Synty Studios, 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.
It gets worse... "Polygon Western - Low Poly 3D Art Pack" has also been shamelessly dumped on Steam by other asset flippers apart from Top-Down Games/Hede:
[list]
[*] "[url=https://store.steampowered.com/app/1335400]Rangers[/url]", asset flipped by Sektan
[*] "[url=https://store.steampowered.com/app/1442380]Book of Shadows[/url]", asset flipped by Enoopos/Enoops
[*] "[url=https://store.steampowered.com/app/848010]Find Your Way[/url]", asset flipped by LillyWelland Inc./OnBlind
[*] "[url=https://store.steampowered.com/app/1010860]Hide and Seek[/url]", asset flipped by Funny Games
[*] "[url=https://store.steampowered.com/app/862990]Survive The West[/url]", asset flipped by Deverinos
[/list]
Take a look for yourself... these are all [i]exactly the same game asset![/i]
Top-Down Games/Hede 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/1419440]Truck Truck[/url]" = [url=https://assetstore.unity.com/packages/templates/packs/truck-physics-template-129411]Truck Physics Template[/url] developed by HitCode
[*] "[url=https://store.steampowered.com/app/1502730]Street Football[/url]" = [url=https://assetstore.unity.com/packages/templates/packs/street-football-game-159255]Street Football Game[/url] developed by noureddine naceur
[*] "[url=https://store.steampowered.com/app/1521770]Ero Tennis[/url]" = [url=https://assetstore.unity.com/packages/templates/packs/tennis-mobile-full-game-152743]Tennis Mobile - full game[/url] developed by Codeer Studio
[*] "[url=https://store.steampowered.com/app/1522530]Ero Snooker[/url]" = [url=https://assetstore.unity.com/packages/templates/packs/snooker-3d-138136]Snooker 3D[/url] developed by Hammad Baig
[*] "[url=https://store.steampowered.com/app/1944970]Hidden Farm Top-Down 3D[/url]" = [url=https://assetstore.unity.com/packages/3d/environments/industrial/farm-life-110144]Farm Life[/url] developed by beffio
[*] "[url=https://store.steampowered.com/app/2703190]Hidden World 10 Top-Down 3D[/url]" = [url=https://assetstore.unity.com/packages/3d/environments/historic/polygon-pirates-low-poly-3d-art-by-synty-92579]Polygon Pirates Low Poly 3D asset pack[/url] developed by Synty Games
[*] "[url=https://store.steampowered.com/app/937780]♞ The Tactics of War ♞[/url]" = [url=https://assetstore.unity.com/packages/3d/environments/fantasy/polygon-knights-low-poly-3d-art-by-synty-83694]Polygon Knights Low Poly 3D Art[/url] developed by Synty Studios
[*] "[url=https://store.steampowered.com/app/2878360]Save and Survive[/url]" = [url=https://assetstore.unity.com/packages/templates/systems/survival-engine-crafting-building-farming-178160]Survival Engine[/url] developed by Indie Marc
[*] "[url=https://store.steampowered.com/app/2079380]Old Retro Shooter[/url]" = [url=https://assetstore.unity.com/packages/templates/systems/hellish-battle-2-5d-retro-fps-217578]Hellish Battle 2.5D Retro FPS[/url] developed by Tiny Slime Studio
[/list]
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?
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, "Polygon Western - Low Poly 3D Art Pack" is just an asset pack including a series of "western" themed 3D low poly characters and assets, and doesn't have any merit as a proper, fully fledged PC game, so this copy+paste of it can't be recommended.
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.
[b][quote][url=https://mmofallout.com/valve-bans-titles-for-review-manipulation/]Warning: Review Manipulation![/url][/quote][/b]
This game features a number of fake positive reviews from accounts known to be in the business of review manipulation/paid reviews. They're all written in either Russian or broken English, appear almost immediately after the game launched on Steam, all have a direct Steam purchase of the game, and the accounts are used consistently to write fake reviews for asset flips and other cash grabs/scams. The "Positive" review score on this game should be disregarded due to this review manipulation.
Don't reward this morally bankrupt, unethical behaviour from Top-Down Games/Hede.
[quote][b][url=https://partner.steamgames.com/doc/marketing/profile]Profile Features Limited![/url][/b]
Valve have marked this game as "Profile Features Limited" at the time of this review. This is usually caused by poor sales figures and low community acceptance for the game (to date). Until this status changes, this game will not give you +1 to your Game Collector badge count, appear in profile achievements or any other Steam meta-accomplishments, nor can it be displayed in some profile showcases. If these factors are important to you, it may be worth holding off before buying this game.[/quote]
Hidden Western Top-Down 3D has the completely insane price of $200 USD, which is incredibly suspicious, higher than AAA pricing for an asset flip shovelware scam game. Why would the "developer" put such a high price tag on an asset flip with no true value as a game? There's no direct proof for this, but it's entirely possible this game is priced this way for money laundering or other criminal purposes. Higher prices allow more money to move with fewer transactions. Valve have previously banned developers for running money laundering scams. While there's no direct evidence in this case, it's highly suspicious and gamers should be wary. 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.
