Howdy, Stranger!
It looks like you're new here. If you want to get involved, click one of these buttons!
Quick Links
Something all companies should do....
Antaran
Member Posts: 579
http://www.stardock.com/about/newsitem.asp?id=1095
I first read this in this months issue of PC Gamer and found it on the internet after a link provided in the magazine, Personally i think this is something all game companies should do, MMORPG makers in particular should take note of points 2, 3, 5 and 6.
for those too lazy to copy/paste the link heres the list.
*1. Gamers shall have the right to return games that don't work with their computers for a full refund.
*2. Gamers shall have the right to demand that games be released in a finished state.
*3. Gamers shall have the right to expect meaningful updates after a game's release.
*4. Gamers shall have the right to demand that download managers and updaters not force themselves to run or be forced to load in order to play a game.
*5. Gamers shall have the right to expect that the minimum requirements for a game will mean that the game will play adequately on that computer. (Adequately not it might run on minimum)
*6. Gamers shall have the right to expect that games won't install hidden drivers or other potentially harmful software without their consent.
*7. Gamers shall have the right to re-download the latest versions of the games they own at any time.
*8. Gamers shall have the right to not be treated as potential criminals by developers or publishers.
*9. Gamers shall have the right to demand that a single-player game not force them to be connected to the Internet every time they wish to play.
*10. Gamers shall have the right that games which are installed to the hard drive shall not require a CD/DVD to remain in the drive to play.
Comments
I know what they mean, but point 2 is just stupid if you interpret it directly... I mean... if you get the finished games, what are the updates for... it should be "in a finished state" it should be in "working condition" or something like that..
But yea, I know what you mean.. games like, lets say, Dark and Light (was that the name of the MMO?) should not be released full of bugs and in unplayable condition..
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Played- Runescape, Conquer
Tested- EQ, RYL, Freeworld
I completely agree with this list.
Since I tried Vanguard, two or so years ago, I do not pre-order games anymore. I just refuse to do it because it a scheme to generate more money for those that give-up on the game early and to get us to pay for a product that is not finished. It compensates on that youthful, and perhaps giddy, market that "gotta have it early."
The gaming industry has ripped off the public, especially with their expansions that really are not at all "expansions" but add-ons, for much too long.
I boycott EA. EA is the genesis of most of these issues. EA has done more to take the industry from an art form to a product than any other company.
The economy is terrible, but I am bullish on gaming.
If we tell these companies, such as by boycotting EA and standing up to it (review Spore's rating at Amazon.com to get a sense of people standing-up), things will get better. But, if we continue to let them screw us and buy their products: trouble.
In fact, I am not buying MMORPGs anymore unless they have a real sense of world immersion; true character customization; and new forms and levels of breaktrhough and incremental innovation. I have played and paid for too many predictable and boring MMORPGs.
The industry, I think, is at a crossroads. It will either go the way of fun, innovation, creativity, immersion or go the path of just making-money.
Look at EA's football games. They come-out with one every year that are like same exact thing from 1993 with slight updates, not innovation. If we permit this, we will pay for it. We are paying for it.
Solutions
Some problems I have with that
1. This pertains to the retailer not the game company
2. You can demand anything right now, getting it is another matter
3. Meaningful is subjective
4. Same thing as number 2, plus there is a good reason why downloaders are manditoraly ran before you play, like in MMOGs and multiplayer games.
5. Adequate is subjective
6. I agree with this
7. Nice idea but not something I think companies have to provide
8. Vague
9. There maybe good reasons for it, like Spore
10. Does not bother me
Don't you worry little buddy. You're dealing with a man of honor. However, honor requires a higher percentage of profit
"1. This pertains to the retailer not the game company"
If you read the link provided it provides some examples, forgive me not not including that in the OP, as for your feedback on number 1 the link clearly states that it's aimed for the company that ship the game to stores, simply put it states that once you've bought a game you should have the right to a refund whenever you wish from the DEVELOPER COMPANY not the retailer.. hope this clarifies that up m8.
With regards to it all, it's about a company that IS going to attempt to do this, Your feedback to point 2 is true for today but if developer companies follow suit and employ these principles then it means that the company will be held accountable for it's releases, perhaps one day this will mean that the businessmen above the developers won't get a say in when the game should be released, as this is why games get released before they're finished.
Meaningful updates after release i believe they refer to actual added content and true expansions instead of old stuff just rehashed.
MMO's and Multiplayer games are fair enough but most multiplayer games and such have updaters inbuilt in the game itself rather than a 3rd party programme, i believe they may be referring to steam in this part.
Adequate i believe means it'll work on medium settings providing your system meets minimum specs rather than minimum specs meaning it might work but only on the worst settings possible.
Point 7 is a good idea, i admit it's not something they have to provide but how many people have lost or accidentally damaged their disk or know someone who has and in order to play a game they've had to go out and buy it again. This point would eliminate that issue coming up.
point 8 probably refers to EULA agreements where the company gets it's back covered but the consumer doesn't.
I can't place a name on it but i once bought a game that required net access, it was a single player game that didn't even possess multiplayer and nothign was mentioned on the box about needing net access. point 9 will most likely refer to this sort of thing.
point 10 doesn't matter to me either but i believe it to be linked into point 7