[b][quote][url=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asset_flip]Warning: Asset Flip![/url][/quote][/b]
Robbie is a Unity Asset flip, what Valve calls a "fake game". The "developer", Alfamonk, took the [url=https://assetstore.unity.com/packages/2d/environments/super-platformer-assets-42013]Super Platformer Assets[/url] Unity Store game assets from the real developers, Foxfin, changed the name, and dumped the result onto Steam.
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 Unity assets such that they comprise the vast majority of this "game", the developer has unethically and deliberately breached the license agreement.
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, "Super Platformer Assets" is just an asset pack for making a 2D retro pixel platformer with a collection of basic pixel characters and tiles, 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.
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.
Don't reward this morally bankrupt, unethical behaviour from Alfamonk.
[quote][url=https://partner.steamgames.com/doc/store/reviews]Developer Response![/url][/quote]The developer has weighed in to inform everyone they didn't read the [url=https://partner.steamgames.com/doc/store/reviews]Developer Usage Rules[/url] for Steam "partners", or they deliberately ignored the part where Valve says:
[quote]Though it may be tempting, not every review needs to be responded to. A developer response will frequently draw more attention than the original statement, potentially turning a small issue into a much larger community discussion. It's also not a good idea to use this feature to refute customer opinions. Your direct attention can be seen as validation or a defensive attempt to silence your customers.[/quote]
First let's take the developer breach of Valve guidelines (a rambling, toxic and insulting meltdown, an attack on gamers and the rule of law itself) in the context of this developer being a complete and utter incompetent failure. SteamDB does not lie. This garbage asset flip has a peak player count of ONLY TWO PEOPLE. Gamers were revolted by this asset flip and the incompetence of the developer who was unable to assemble a remotely acceptable "Game" from assets he stole from others.
With that in mind (only TWO players), let's delve into the developers apparent psychotic break, because the developers disgusting attitude demonstrates so well why this was an incompetently made failure from a developer who could never get a real job in the industry.
The first thing the developer wants everyone to know is that they are "The Main Character". You, as a gamer, don't matter. They breach Valve guidelines just to complain about a fully accurate and informative review (with facts their ego doesn't like). It's evident from their attitude that they never created this product with gamers in mind. They did so to stroke their own ego. When developers, especially failed ones who would never be able to get a professional job in the industry, put themselves before gamers, we end up with garbage products like this. At least we got to meet The Main Character, and nobody else matters.
This is a little disturbing as the developer indicates they started stalking me and reading through my reviews... either obsession on their part, or desperation to find something that would change the objectively terrible quality of this failed "game". Whatever their motivation, creeping on reviewers like this is [b]not okay[/b].
The developer makes some stupid and insulting points that need to be broken down to help people understand why his deranged comments are so utterly toxic.
The developer ADMITS he used no assets other than the ones he stole from another, real developer, and put his own name on them to get credit for the work of others... plagiarism, and a DIRECT violation of the Unity Asset Store terms and conditions as listed above. Stealing the work of others and putting your own name on it is just wrong. If the developer did this in academia, literature or film, he'd be expelled and face time in court. But this guy thinks legally binding contracts don't apply to him. Because he's the Main Character.
The developer takes the toxic, insulting standpoint that nobody is allowed to review or comment on games unless they are already an established game developer. This is complete and utter BS.
Apparently if someone puts a plate of rancid, rotting chicken in front of you, you're not allowed to complain unless you're a Michelin star chef. This attitude is clearly rubbish, utterly inappropriate, and aimed solely at stopping people from pointing out nobody wanted his incompetently made, failed garbage of a "game".
The developer, in the same breath as demanding only award winning AAA developers are permitted to comment on the turd he dumped on Steam, claims this is their first time trying to make a game. What utter hypocrisy. If I went to a restaurant, got sick from eating bad food, and got told "The chef is new and has never cooked food before", would that make it okay? No. The developer supplied a very valid reason why this should never have been put up for sale on Steam. Demanding only people who know more than he does can comment is galling (but I've seen pet rocks better at game development than this failure).
The developer admits they didn't hire a team of talented staff and tried to do the whole thing on their own. This is a lot like boarding an airplane and halfway through the flight having the pilot come out and serve peanuts. It requires a team of competent people to do a complex job properly, and that's not what happened here.
The "developer" argues that I review a lot of games, therefore this review isn't valid or truthful. Huh. If I changed all my other reviews to positive, would the graphics and gameplay of this crap game suddenly improve? No. The developer seeks any angle to throw shade at me to discredit my review.
If this was the only review I had ever written, would that change any of the defects of this game, or replace the stolen assets? Of course not. [b]My reviews for other games have no bearing on the dismal quality of this failed product[/b].
The developer is desperate to make this review of HIS morally bankrupt asset flip about ME. If I never wrote this review to warn gamers, this garbage asset flip would still suffer from the same problems.
Nothing in the developers pointless, arrogant breach of Valve guidelines changes any of the objective facts of my review. My review stands unaltered. I cannot recommend this asset flip to anyone.
