[b][quote][url=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asset_flip]Warning: Asset Flip![/url][/quote][/b]
World of Bärn is a Unity Asset flip, what Valve calls a "fake game". The "developer", Ready To Play, took the [url=https://assetstore.unity.com/packages/tools/game-toolkits/rpg-builder-177657]RPG Builder[/url] Unity Store game assets from the real developers, Blink, 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... "RPG Builder" has also been shamelessly dumped on Steam by other asset flippers apart from Ready To Play:
[list]
[*] "[url=https://store.steampowered.com/app/1846060]Scripture[/url]", asset flipped by Mehmet A. Candak/Avocado (although they at least reskinned it a bit more... still an asset flip)
[/list]
Take a look for yourself... these are all [i]exactly the same game![/i]
Ready To Play 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/2109550]Office Racer[/url]" = [url=https://assetstore.unity.com/packages/3d/props/interior/polygon-office-low-poly-3d-art-by-synty-159492]Polygon Office[/url] developed by Synty Studios
[*] "[url=https://store.steampowered.com/app/1857910]Forest Mystery[/url]" = [url=https://assetstore.unity.com/packages/3d/vegetation/trees/polygon-nature-low-poly-3d-art-by-synty-120152]POLYGON Nature - Low Poly 3D Art[/url] developed by Synty Studios
[*] "[url=https://store.steampowered.com/app/1554960]Parkour Game[/url]" = [url=https://assetstore.unity.com/packages/tools/game-toolkits/third-person-controller-basic-locomotion-free-82048]Third Person Controller - Basic Locomotion Free[/url] developed by Invector
[*] "[url=https://store.steampowered.com/app/1519130]Car Game[/url]" = [url=https://assetstore.unity.com/packages/tools/physics/realistic-car-controller-16296]Realistic Car Controller[/url] developed by BoneCracker Games
[*] "[url=https://store.steampowered.com/app/2631470]Parkour Game 2[/url]" = [url=https://assetstore.unity.com/packages/3d/environments/fantasy/polygon-knights-low-poly-3d-art-by-synty-83694]Polygon Knights Low Poly 3D Art[/url] developed by Synty Studios
[/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, "RPG Builder" is just a demo pack to teach people how to build a simple third person RPG in Unity, and doesn't have any merit as a proper, fully fledged PC game, so this copy+paste of it can't be recommended. Even if the developer did slap some stolen Synty assets on it. Ugh. The more you look at these asset flips, the worse it gets.
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 Ready To Play.
"World of Bärn" 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, this is impossible to recommend.
[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]
