[b][quote][url=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asset_flip]Warning: Asset Flip![/url][/quote][/b]
Run Run Boy is a Unity Asset flip, what Valve calls a "fake game". The "developer", Balti Calarasi/HandMade Games, took the [url=https://assetstore.unity.com/packages/templates/packs/branches-64026]Branches[/url] Unity Store tutorial/demo/game asset pack from the real developers, SgLib Games, 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... "Branches" has also been shamelessly dumped on Steam by other asset flippers apart from Balti Calarasi/HandMade Games:
[list]
[*] "[url=https://store.steampowered.com/app/1717420]Branches[/url]", asset flipped by beans rolls/Simple Logic Games
[/list]
Take a look for yourself... It's [i]exactly the same game![/i]
Balti Calarasi/HandMade Games has a known history of trying to scam people into paying them money for someone else's work.An example of Balti Calarasi/HandMade Games doing this is [url=https://store.steampowered.com/app/535260]Save Home[/url], which is really "[url=https://forum.unity.com/threads/released-ultimate-survival-the-complete-survival-template.442016/]Ultimate Survival[/url]", written by the actual developers, Winterbyte. Also, [url=https://store.steampowered.com/app/2221090]Escape of Pig[/url], which is really "[url=https://www.sellmyapp.com/downloads/the-pig-escape/]The Pig Escape[/url]", developed by Fox Game Studio.
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, "Branches" is just a demo/tutorial to teach people to make a simple isometric endless runner game, 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 Balti Calarasi/HandMade Games.
[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]
