[b][quote][url=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asset_flip]Warning: Asset Flip![/url][/quote][/b]
Snowboard is a Unity Asset flip, what Valve calls a "fake game". The "developer", Azerbaijan Technology/Top-Down Games/Hede (watch this guy swap Steam accounts like he's running a shell game!), took the [url=https://assetstore.unity.com/packages/templates/systems/snowboard-game-starter-pack-template-186097]Snowboard Game Starter Pack[/url] Unity Store tutorial/demo/game asset pack from the real developers, Denis Lapiner, 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... "Snowboard Game Starter Pack" has also been shamelessly dumped on Steam by other asset flippers apart from Azerbaijan Technology/Top-Down Games:
[list]
[*] "[url=https://store.steampowered.com/app/1659170]Snowboarding[/url]", asset flipped by INFINITE BRIDGE
[*] "[url=https://store.steampowered.com/app/1734610]Robosnow[/url]", asset flipped by Vitok/Vitok
[/list]
Take a look for yourself... these are all [i]exactly the same game![/i]
Azerbaijan Technology/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/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/1537940]Bow & Crystal Tower Defense[/url]" = [url=https://assetstore.unity.com/packages/templates/packs/archery-simple-demo-complete-game-template-184591]Archery Simple Demo - Complete Game Template[/url] developed by Easy Game 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/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/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/1419440]Truck Truck[/url]" = [url=https://assetstore.unity.com/packages/templates/packs/truck-physics-template-129411]Truck Physics Template[/url] developed by HitCode
[/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:
[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]
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, "Snowboard Game Starter Pack" is just a Unity starter kit to teach people how they can make a snowboarding 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.
This asset flip has the completely insane price of ONE HUNDRED US DOLLARS, 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.
Don't reward this morally bankrupt, unethical behaviour from Azerbaijan Technology/Top-Down Games.
[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.
