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Advertising Standards launches investigation into No Man's Sky
- Thread starter Gamezone
- Start date
VlaudTheImpaler
tl;dr
Woah, I just saw this...
Wonder what pushed them to look into this? I'd like to think that the complaints to the FTC helped but I don't know. I do know that the complaints filed through the tutorial form that I made goes to the FTC and they then send that info to whomever it is pertinent to and it wouldn't surprise me if they got sent to the ASA. Regardless of whether or not these where the initial reason I do know that they create a record for any sort of case like this or even lawsuits to use so no matter what they weren't for nothing.
I think I'll be adding the ASA to my list of contacts for the next time we have a disaster like this.
Wonder what pushed them to look into this? I'd like to think that the complaints to the FTC helped but I don't know. I do know that the complaints filed through the tutorial form that I made goes to the FTC and they then send that info to whomever it is pertinent to and it wouldn't surprise me if they got sent to the ASA. Regardless of whether or not these where the initial reason I do know that they create a record for any sort of case like this or even lawsuits to use so no matter what they weren't for nothing.
I think I'll be adding the ASA to my list of contacts for the next time we have a disaster like this.
DOWN
Banned
Were any of those as bad? I thought those were basically graphics controversies which footage of the game in the months before launch showed honestly anyway. I know BioShock Infinite changed but they had continually showed it off and discussed it, no?
The backlash this game has gotten is so overblown it's crazy. Every game cuts features as it goes on. Most games with overblown expectations fail to meet them. Anyone remember all the shit that was promised to be in Shenmue? The game was nothing like I had imagined in the end yet I still loved it and it went on to be a classic. Having a ton of features planned and then cutting some of them as it becomes apparent that they can't be delivered on time happens with every single game that has ever come out.
I didn't find the game to be anything more or anything less than what I had seen in all of the previews. Fly to a planet, look at neat stuff, go to a different planet, look at neat stuff, repeat forever.
I didn't find the game to be anything more or anything less than what I had seen in all of the previews. Fly to a planet, look at neat stuff, go to a different planet, look at neat stuff, repeat forever.
Machine Messiah
Member
Obligatory: https://my.mixtape.moe/vxhnde.webm
This way of thinking is really wrong. What your suggesting is "experiences" like movies, arts and games can do whatever they want and not be held accountable for anything should generally be exempt is very anti consumer. If anything there should be more law in place for this kind of things. You go to a museum advertising T-rex dinosaur bones. You pay your ticket but there is no T-rex bones. You spent the money on gas to drive there, money for parking, and money for ticket to go inside. According to your thinking they should be exempt. Another example is you go to a movie theater advertising they Star Wars. After paying for your ticket you sit down and watch the movie, but what was showed was a B-rated version of Star Wars according to you logic they are as well exempt. The sames applies to games. No one should be exempt. Now if they change it and advertise they change it in advance so the information is out there than that is different. If not than the equal frauds.
I think Jim Sterling was spot on when he said this happened because the game was considered bad by most.
If the game had ended up still being good despite the cuts, I don't think the backlash would have been anywhere near as bad.
And you are saying you want to continue to promote the type of behavior that states that everyone including someone at the help desk is responsible correct?
The thing is as time goes by gaming industry is starting to get away with more and more anti consumer practices. In the early days it was a just a small hobby that was not much of a blip on the radar. The gaming industry is taking advantage of their consumer bases as time goes by more and more. At some point they have to be regulated and be held accountable for the same type of standards any consumer base product is held to.
NullPointer
Member
Good.
Hello Games isn't the only company that's pulled this kind of thing but its about time gaming had to stick to some of its advertised promises, or else make it clear that marketed features have been cut or diminished before accepting people's cash.
Hopefully this can push more storefronts into making refunds an easy and reliable process.
Hello Games isn't the only company that's pulled this kind of thing but its about time gaming had to stick to some of its advertised promises, or else make it clear that marketed features have been cut or diminished before accepting people's cash.
Hopefully this can push more storefronts into making refunds an easy and reliable process.
- Go to the next videogame store in your area
- Grab a copy of No Man's Sky
- Go to the Cashier
- Give her 10$ and tell her you're gonna pay the rest later eventually
- Come back and tell us what happened after
AuthenticM
Member
I continue to be amazed how many people there are that are totally happy and actuall call for companies to shit on them, their consumer rights, and their money. Un-fucking-real.
This discussion is not as impartial as it should be, because unlike other consumer products, video games have their buyers be emotionally invested in them.
PeakPointMatrix
Member
lmao
What do you think these guys can do exactly? Get them arrested? Everyone fired?
They'll replace a trailer. Maybe. Oh man that nailing, that'll show Ubi/EA/Acti!
The things that can result from this is that they have a certain amount of time to replace any all advertisement of the game. If not done by the specific date and or time it can lead to lawsuits and fines, which is what they do not want.
Man Called Aerodynamics
Member
Maybe I'm misremembering but I don't think BioShock Infinite is a good example. They did show that early vertical slice that didn't turn out to be very representative of the scale of the final game. But it's not like they clung to that and continued to misrepresent the game as the development changed direction over the years.
VlaudTheImpaler
tl;dr
This whole "Well, other games have done it so it's ok," shtick is getting old.
NYCmetsfan
Banned
All of those things aren't "experiences"
I'm saying if someone says "the new star wars prequels will be great and answer some questions about the force"
you don't get to sue them because how shit midcloreans are.
The steam page clearly states the game is single player
Then neither is buying NMS and it not having multiplayer.
NullPointer
Member
Yep. It always comes up, and its disingenuous at the very least.
The first time some new bad practice happens we're told that we should wait and see if something becomes a trend before making noise. Once it becomes a trend the latest bad actor isn't doing anything new so whats the fuss?
Whether something is new or standard practice shouldn't really come into it. There's always an inflection point. Something that grabs wide attention, and that's the best opportunity to seek change.
Mobius and pet octopus
Member
The bioshock stuff is BS imo. The game didn't turn out to what you imagined based on pre-release footage. There weren't entirely missing features. We all know games can change during development, this is different.
.
The game significantly changed every single time they brought it out, and what they advertised in media and by Ken Levine's words were far more spectacular in scale and scope than what ended up happening.
What they brought out was significantly inferior and pared back from anything the trailers originally showed us, which is the same as No Man's Sky's trailers to final product. Only difference is, Murray directly lied to people's faces about features and Levine just fluffed up things in vague sense, but they are similar, just like Colonial Marines.
NoFaceNico
Member
A lot of products have their consumers emotionally invested in them. Everything from cars to pet care products.
Plus you're ignoring that companies feed into the hype knowing that it triggers an emotional impulse to buy. I don't get why you think products that take advantage of consumers emotions should be given any less protection, it sounds like corporate licking.
Mediking
Member
I regret making this post.
Movalpolos
Banned
This.
Shao Kahn Brewing a Stew
Banned
"Fly to a planet, look at neat stuff, go to a different planet, look at neat stuff, repeat forever" is not what was advertised. We were advertised Online play, Space battles, Bounty Hunting, Pirating, Aliens, and a lot more deep shit the more center to universe you get. As a consumer, it's quite garbage to say "Pshhh! This happens all the time". Clearly, you have not seen all the previews.
Do you really like this? The idea of promising a deep game and getting a tech demo? Do you like paying $60+ for that? Are you happy with the game you have? Do you own the game?
Alebrije
Member
Some of the posts in this thread just remind me of this:
Yep, it seems is somekind of Stockholm syndrome
afternoon delight
Member
Very much so, it's utterly bizarre.
Movalpolos
Banned
Some of the posts in this thread just remind me of this:
Yea, reminds me of a MCC or Star Fox Zero thread.
Shao Kahn Brewing a Stew
Banned
Here's an old thread confirming what you can do in the game:
http://m.neogaf.com/showthread.php?t=886607&page=1
I see a lot of things isn't how they explained it. I see a lot of missing features, and a lot of bullshit being spewed.
And here's a bigger list compiled recently: https://archive.is/V5Zns
Please tell me, why did they decide to bullshit so much? No one told them to bullshit.
http://m.neogaf.com/showthread.php?t=886607&page=1
I see a lot of things isn't how they explained it. I see a lot of missing features, and a lot of bullshit being spewed.
And here's a bigger list compiled recently: https://archive.is/V5Zns
Please tell me, why did they decide to bullshit so much? No one told them to bullshit.
Gamezone
Gold Member
Sean kept lying about the features very close to release. They weren't cut, but all lies.
AuthenticM
Member
No product has their owner be as emotionally invested in it and it's industry quite like video games. If someone bought a car or a pet care product or a hammer and that product did not offer what was advertised, they would not even think twice about complaining to the producer and asking for either a refund or compensation. Only video games will have its enthusiasts be corporate apologists. And perhaps iPhone users; I'm not sure.
Air Zombie Meat
Member
Interesting. I think one of the reasons Sean has kept quiet since launch is in case of litigation. If he came out and apologized then that could be used as an admission of guilt.
Jangowuzhere
Banned
I'm sure people have some point about the game having false advertising or whatever. They must have felt somewhat betrayed learning that the game they bought turned out to be quite different from what they expected.
...But I don't have sympathy at all for those people. Hype culture is bullshit. This game wasn't a sequel, and it wasn't being released by a well known developer. The fact that so many people bought into this game still blows my mind. Hello Games promised the world with No Man's Sky, but it's still the consumer's responsibility to be smart and make better decisions. Making an informed purchase based on reviews and user feedback just seems like common sense at this point. That's not to say you can't feel disappointed in this game, but having any form of buyer's regret is simply on you.
...But I don't have sympathy at all for those people. Hype culture is bullshit. This game wasn't a sequel, and it wasn't being released by a well known developer. The fact that so many people bought into this game still blows my mind. Hello Games promised the world with No Man's Sky, but it's still the consumer's responsibility to be smart and make better decisions. Making an informed purchase based on reviews and user feedback just seems like common sense at this point. That's not to say you can't feel disappointed in this game, but having any form of buyer's regret is simply on you.
Are you for real or just trolling? Because oh boy are you wrong
You do realize that "reviews" and "user feedback" dont exist with someone buying the game first before such things exist, yes?
joecanada
Member
no you got it backwards when a big group of rich people do it , its always okay. or just change the law.
Air Zombie Meat
Member
Sean did everything he could to stop people from getting an accurate picture of the game. e.g. please don't watch streams or you'll ruin all the wonderful surprises we worked so hard on.
SmoothRunningGun
Member
Too busy counting his money. Probably hanging out with that occulus rift guy.
joecanada
Member
wow that's a really cynical way of looking at that statement... but who knows maybe you are right.........
In any event if there were features not as advertised, its false advertising and that's against the law. and for good reason.
no matter what intentions or hard work people put into the product.
and that's why PR people exist, which it is obvious Sean is not. in some of those interviews he just smiles and says "yes" to everything, everything! which either is very scam-like or very dumb.
Jangowuzhere
Banned
Well, yes, obviously. That's just reality.
There are always going to be people who buy into a game blindly. However, it's good when those blind purchasers are a few people. In NMS case, it was millions of people.
Probably not. They released so many patches in such a relative short period of time. Wouldn't surprise me if they were until the last patch still in semi-crunch.
Hello Games never were good at being timely. Even confirming the PC delay took bloody forever and super close to when the game was supposed to be released. It even took them forever actually changing the dates on the steam page.
I think this is a similar case. Mind you, this doesn't make it good. It shows a lack of respect to the user in the end even if that's not their intention by not informing them.
Personally I'd like to believe the amount of negativity just shell-shocked them and they just bunkered up. A completely wrong approach to take in a case like this. They are pretty much doing a 101 of how not to do damage control.
Even with all the stuff missing, they could have explained it why. They even could have made up some bullshit reason people wouldn't be able to verify and calming the storm a bit down.
Or even just admitting it all and outlining exactly what's being worked on and showing what's coming. But they're not doing that. They're basically radio silent. We know they're working still on it thanks to the steam databases which shows activity. But their total lack of communication is so infuriating and it just makes the backslash so much worse.
They really need someone, just someone. Not necessarily Sean Murray that can keep contact with the community and tell them what's going on.
Memnoch
Member
Awesome. I feel misled.