[b][quote][url=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asset_flip]Warning: Asset Flip![/url][/quote][/b]
How Much Items - Plants is a Unity Asset flip, what Valve calls a "fake game". The "developer", Hede, took the [url=https://assetstore.unity.com/packages/3d/vegetation/trees/edge-trees-1-273961]EDGE - Trees 1[/url] Unity Store game assets from the real developers, Edge, 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.
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:
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[*] "[url=https://store.steampowered.com/app/1915910]Hidden Build Top-Down 3D[/url]" = [url=https://assetstore.unity.com/packages/3d/environments/industrial/polygon-construction-low-poly-3d-art-by-synty-168036]Polygon Construction Low Poly 3D Art[/url] developed by Synty Studios
[*] "[url=https://store.steampowered.com/app/1547500]Snowboard[/url]" = [url=https://assetstore.unity.com/packages/templates/systems/snowboard-game-starter-pack-template-186097]Snowboard Game Starter Pack[/url] developed by Denis Lapiner
[*] "[url=https://store.steampowered.com/app/1306160]Get Over Blood[/url]" = [url=https://assetstore.unity.com/packages/3d/environments/historic/the-big-castle-kit-75818]The Big Castle Kit[/url] developed by Triplebrick
[*] "[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/3079460]3D PUZZLE - Deserted Village[/url]" = [url=https://assetstore.unity.com/packages/3d/environments/historic/deserted-village-86290]Deserted Village[/url] developed by Triplebrick
[*] "[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/2878310]Hidden Pirates 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/2703240]Scream or Die - Virtual Circus[/url]" = [url=https://assetstore.unity.com/packages/3d/characters/creatures/cursed-toys-100431]Cursed Toys Pack[/url] developed by Serhat Yucekaya
[*] "[url=https://store.steampowered.com/app/3120300]3D PUZZLE - Pizza Shop 1[/url]" = [url=https://assetstore.unity.com/packages/3d/environments/urban/pizza-shop-kit-131579]Pizza Shop Kit[/url] developed by Brick Project Studio
[*] "[url=https://store.steampowered.com/app/3244700]Archaeology - Egypt[/url]" = [url=https://assetstore.unity.com/packages/3d/environments/landscapes/desert-kits-64-sample-86482]Desert Kits Sample[/url] developed by Sagital3D
[*] "[url=https://store.steampowered.com/app/2703270]GTH 3033 - Grand Theft Hunter 3033[/url]" = [url=https://assetstore.unity.com/packages/3d/environments/urban/polygon-apocalypse-low-poly-3d-art-by-synty-154193]POLYGON Apocalypse - Low Poly 3D Art[/url] developed by Synty Games
[*] "[url=https://store.steampowered.com/app/2973580]Hidden FPS Shooting Top-Down 3D[/url]" = [url=https://assetstore.unity.com/packages/3d/environments/fps-shooting-mobile-game-optimized-environment-213745]FPS Shooting Mobile Game Optimized Environment[/url] developed by Mubasher Amer
[*] "[url=https://store.steampowered.com/app/3269630]Archaeology - Frozen Village[/url]" = [url=https://assetstore.unity.com/packages/3d/environments/landscapes/flatpoly-winter-village-51544]Flat Poly Winter Village[/url] developed by Zololgo
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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, "EDGE - Trees 1" is just literally just an asset pack with a bunch of low poly trees, Hede didn't even bother rearranging the position of the assets. This asset pack 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.
[quote][b][url=https://www.ftc.gov/legal-library/browse/federal-register-notices/16-cfr-part-465-trade-regulation-rule-use-consumer-reviews-testimonials-final-rule]Warning: Review Manipulation![/url][/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 at almost exactly the same time, very shortly 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 blatant, unethical review manipulation. This is done to deceive and scam gamers into paying for a bad product.
Due to the 2024 FTC ruling (16 CFR Part 465), these fake reviews are a violation of US Federal Law.[/quote]Don't reward this morally bankrupt, unethical behaviour from Hede.
How Much Items - Plants has the completely insane price of $60+ 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. When you buy a product from a shady developer, you put your money at risk.
