No Man's Sky Under Investigation Over Claims of Misleading Advertising

[Joccaren]

Star Citizen developers must be bricking it if this goes anywhere. Though depends on how loyal the sunk cost fallacy can make people.

Eeeeeeeh, its a bit different.

If they release Star Citizen claiming it has all its promised features, but it doesn't, sure.
If they release Star Citizen and state they weren't able to include certain features, and can prove they made a good faith effort to do so, then they're fine.

Its the difference between crowdfunding development and "Pledging" to a game, vs pre-ordering a game. When crowdfunding, the money you invest disappears to create the game, and thus you understand and accept the risk that if something falls through despite efforts to make it work, that's part of what will happen. With pre-orders, you have the option to recoup your investment before release, and thus you expect there to be no risk at the time of release - when you're locked in to your purchase - that features that are promised won't be in the game. If you're informed pre-release that they won't, you have the chance to cancel [Which you don't in crowdfunding as your money has already been spent], and if you hang on then you understand those features won't be there. If you aren't informed pre-release though, that information was knowingly withheld from you in order to make you still agree to buy the game, despite it not being what you were promised. There is a specific stipulation about this in contract law [Which advertising law tends to fall under], that basically says in circumstances like that you are allowed to void the contract, as they knowingly took advantage of your lack of knowledge.

 

[Zulnam]

I have zero knowledge of how the brits do things. If they are found guilty by this investigation (which they are), what happens? What are the consequences they are facing here? a slap in the wrist?

If found guilty the entire Hello Games team will be forced to labour on one of the HMS, either explorer or trading vessel, for 10 years each, without pay. They're also not allowed to drink any of the tea.

Srsly though, probably a demand to change the Steam page and a fine at MOST.


Also, good. Governments love to scare us with stories about "lawbreakers and liars" and how they always get what's coming to them. It's a good show when they start doing it to a company in an industry as vulgar and hostile towards clients as the gaming industry.

 

[008Zulu_v1legacy]

Oh come on, man, this is ridiculous. Yes, they lied, but everyone with half a brain should have been able to see this from miles away.

The speed of the Hype Train makes everything a blur.

 

[Dalisclock]

So I get(though aren't hugely onboard with) being pissed at Hello and Sony, but how is valve responsible here? Correct me if I'm wrong, but Valve doesn't choose what goes on the steam page for any particular game. The developer or the publisher does.

I have a lot of issues with Valve and their Quality control issues(Shovelware! Shovelware everywhere!) but I'm pretty sure it's not their responsibility(nor do they have the resources) to check every game and make sure the screenshots and write up accurately match what's actually in the game.

 

[MrFalconfly]

Oh come on, man, this is ridiculous. Yes, they lied, but everyone with half a brain should have been able to see this from miles away. There is a very easy solution to this kind of situation. Never pre-order (what's the point of pre-ordering digital games anyway?!). Just have patience for one week and see the user reviews. It's so simple.

The nature of the product, and the relative severity, compared to other random events, should never factor into the application of the law.

EDIT:
I mean, it doesn't matter if me running a red light isn't as bad as me running over someones grandmother. I'm still running a red light, and I'm still breaking the law.

 

[elvor0]

Oh come on, man, this is ridiculous. Yes, they lied, but everyone with half a brain should have been able to see this from miles away. There is a very easy solution to this kind of situation. Never pre-order (what's the point of pre-ordering digital games anyway?!). Just have patience for one week and see the user reviews. It's so simple.

So...the people held accountable for the company lying should be the customers?

"Well you should've known they'd lie, shit to be you, the company should get off scott free because it's your fault they used false advertising, wheeee!"

People are blowing this "issue" waaay out of proportion. It's a stupid video game. You got duped, get over it and be more careful in the future. There are way worse things happening in the world all the time that nobody gives a shit about.

Investigating advertising standards is literally the ASAs job. And name. and reason for existing.

 

[Smooth Operator]

I have zero knowledge of how the brits do things. If they are found guilty by this investigation (which they are), what happens? What are the consequences they are facing here? a slap in the wrist?

I imagine they first get a very strongly worded letter, and afterwards are forced to accommodate all refunds.

Either way it goes the mere existence of this pursuit is a good thing, devs/publishers need be shaken down publicly when lying so that it sets an example for future BS, and especially for the public to understand there are laws covering this stuff.

 

[Zelderahn]

If there is a case to answer and they can prove it, then Hello Games -should- see their day in court. To claim that it is overkill to get those authorities who is supposed to investigate these matters is asinine.

Just because an internet hateboner has died down doesn't mean the problem stopped being a problem.

 

[PainInTheAssInternet]

People are blowing this "issue" waaay out of proportion. It's a stupid video game. You got duped, get over it and be more careful in the future. There are way worse things happening in the world all the time that nobody gives a shit about.

People have already addressed other aspects of your argument, so I'll bring something else to the table.

Is it really that small an issue? A company is attempting to obtain millions of dollars based on false pretences. Should that not be punished?

 

[FalloutJack]

You just don't lie to Colbert and get away with it!

He did worse than that. He lied...to THE BIG FURRY HAT!