[b][quote][url=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asset_flip]Warning: Asset Flip![/url][/quote][/b]
Shooting Star is a Unity Asset flip, what Valve calls a "fake game". The "developer", Studio Inward, took the [url=https://assetstore.unity.com/packages/templates/packs/dash-runner-full-game-template-152071]Dash Runner - Full Game Template[/url] Unity Store tutorial/demo/game asset pack from the real developers, Yanka, 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.
Studio Inward 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/1220190]Hentai Darts[/url]" = [url=https://assetstore.unity.com/packages/templates/packs/dart-wheel-game-template-42174]Dart Wheel Game Template[/url] developed by Puppeteer
[*] "[url=https://store.steampowered.com/app/1355140]Police Chase[/url]" = [url=https://assetstore.unity.com/packages/templates/packs/endless-car-chase-game-template-116027]Endless Car Chase Game Template[/url] developed by Puppeteer
[*] "[url=https://store.steampowered.com/app/1170160]Golf98[/url]" = [url=https://assetstore.unity.com/packages/templates/packs/endless-golf-115171]Endless Golf[/url] developed by SgLib Games
[*] "[url=https://store.steampowered.com/app/1174120]Space Road[/url]" = [url=https://assetstore.unity.com/packages/templates/packs/speeder-run-game-53871]Speeder Run Game[/url] developed by Puppeteer
[*] "[url=https://store.steampowered.com/app/1322180]DriftZ[/url]" = [url=https://assetstore.unity.com/packages/templates/packs/zombie-drift-255462]Zombie Drift [/url] developed by BoneCracker Games
[*] "[url=https://store.steampowered.com/app/1208900]BomberX [/url]" = [url=https://assetstore.unity.com/packages/templates/systems/bomber-io-102515]Bomber IO[/url] developed by SURIYUN
[*] "[url=https://store.steampowered.com/app/1381290]Viking Fight[/url]" = [url=https://assetstore.unity.com/packages/templates/systems/the-battle-multiplayer-game-template-144703]The Battle Multiplayer Game Template[/url] developed by SoloQ
[*] "[url=https://store.steampowered.com/app/1183670]Angry Zombies[/url]" = [url=https://www.codester.com/items/4819/angry-zombies-complete-unity-project]Angry Zombies Complete Unity Project[/url] developed by AWD Games
[/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, "Dash Runner - Full Game Template" is just a simply Unity demo/tutorial for making a 2-button endless "runner" mobile 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.
Another important Note: Studio Inward have been caught using fake reviews on their games in an attempt to mislead gamers by creating a fake positive review score. The reviews are all from known/compromised pay-per-review accounts, all in Russian or broken English, and show as Steam purchasers (to make the fake reviews count). The fake reviews are all posted within roughly 24 hours of each other, and usually shortly after the game launch. There's no evidence of fake reviews on this game, but that may change in future. Gamers have a right to know when developers act in a highly unethical manner.
Don't reward this morally bankrupt, unethical behaviour from Studio Inward.
[b][quote][url=https://partner.steamgames.com/doc/marketing/profile]Profile Features Limited![/url][/quote][/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.
