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General discussion (archive)Release: Dark Matter(219 posts)(219 posts)
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This is my favourite topic
Posted October 17, 2013
Note: Following some discussions with Iceberg Interactive, we have been asked to remove Dark Matter from sale while the developer addresses the fact that the game's ending has some problems. The game will remain available for download for anyone who has already bought it. The developers have stated that they are working on a patch as a solution to this, and as we mentioned yesterday, anyone who wants a refund on their copy of their game is free to contact Support and we'll take care of you. Our apologies about this, and we hope that this helps address the problem. If you have any questions, please feel free to leave a comment below.

Dark Matter, a Sci-Fi thriller that challenges you to explore the dark corridors of a defunct spacecraft where light is as scarce as the resources you need to survive.

What is Dark Matter? Imagine you're stranded in a giant defunct space exploration vessel, and you are not alone on board. There's an ominous alien parasitic presence lurking at every corner, hiding away in the air-shafts, creeping through the conduits. This is a metroidvania-type title set in deep space, where no one can hear you scream, curse at your enemies, or call for mummy when you're lost in the vast labyrinth of dark corridors. In this non-linear survival and exploration action game you'll be challenged to make it through 14 danger-filled areas designed in the spirit of the darkest gritty hard S-F. With four upgradable guns, crafting mechanics, resource management, dynamic lightning that genuinely affects gameplay, and a reactive soundtrack, this gripping game is sure to stop your heart a few times as you play.
Posted October 23, 2013
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patthefatrat: I don't know if this has already been said, but Eric Schreuder the CEO of Iceberg Interactive, mentioned that Dark Matter should be an episodic game with each episode costing about 15$. The now released game which is just called "Dark Matter" is only the first episode of at least two. Later episodes will or will not be released, depending on the success of the former episodes.

Source 1: http://www.joystiq.com/2013/10/20/dark-matter-publisher-game-is-meant-to-be-episodic-series/
Source 2: http://steamcommunity.com/app/251410/discussions/0/810938810836838055/

Well I think this should have been communicated from the beginning.
He also said:
Dark Matter was originally planned to be a self-funded game, but in able to elaborate more on the immersive story-line, a Kickstarter project was devised. The idea was to make it a larger, more epic title, with significantly more levels and selling at full price ($30). Sadly, the Kickstarter project failed to reach the target amount and this idea had to be abandoned.
Do you believe that they originally planned a retail price of $30 when it was priced at £8 and £12 (soundtrack included) on their Kickstarter? I mean, Iceberg Interactive wasn't even in the picture back then (I could be wrong though).
Everything he said till they pulled the game sounds more like failed damage control to me.

Given the current situation, the game's future looks pretty bleak.


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IAmSinistar: I resent the implication that I have anything to do with the clearly First Amendment abridging concept of the NDA. Oh, you meant "sinister". :)

In seriousness, I understand the business reason for NDAs, but find them chilling nonetheless. The idea that you cannot speak about something is intrinsically anathema to me. Yes, I understand all too well how vital it is in many circumstances (people who work in high security or high risk settings, or in cutting edge research). But much like how the "unskippable" content on DVDs was originally intended just for the FBI/Interpol warning (and now is used for logo bumpers, ads, and other nonsense), the use of NDAs has changed from protecting vital knowledge to being a blanket way for businesses to cover their asses and even obscure bad practices. Not saying this applies to GOG, but NDAs are still used far more indiscriminately than they should be, especially in ostensibly transparent democratic societies.
I won't deny that what you describe is quite often the case with NDAs these days - and not only in businesses. I just don't have any evidence or even indications that GOG is misusing them; for all I know GOG's in a highly competitive market where protecting vital knowledge is key to success and that it's not unreasonable that certain inside info is off limits to the members and visitors of a public forum.
In either case, the last thing I'd like to see is Judas getting into trouble over my curiosity (what if I'm a spy planted by a competitor? - yeah, I know, silly joke).
Posted October 23, 2013
was it really that bad? I mean, cut-off ending sucks, but what about the rest of the game?
Posted October 23, 2013
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Kunovski: was it really that bad? I mean, cut-off ending sucks, but what about the rest of the game?
If they hadn't tried to conceal the fact that this is (at best) only half a game, and charged about $5 for it, I doubt anybody would have complained.

It's got great mood and middling-to-poor gameplay. I suspect they left out a lot of content even in the section of the game they did "finish". It's also fairly glitchy / buggy and has inexplicable slowdowns even on a very beefy computer.

Still, it's well worth $5 or so if you come into it with the right expectations. I think people are mostly mad at the price and deceptiveness of the whole thing. I know I am.
Posted October 23, 2013
Nothing of this would have happened if they just put "Episode 1" in the game title. It was really more about the devs attitude than anything else.
Posted October 23, 2013
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KOC: this is why I love gog, they care about their customers (offering a refund)
LOL they have to do that dude. This could be avoided If properly tested.
Posted October 23, 2013
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keeveek: Nothing of this would have happened if they just put "Episode 1" in the game title.
I couldn't agree more. I still want to play the game and I would have bought it here down the line. As long people know what they're getting into, there shouldn't be an issue.
Posted October 23, 2013
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keeveek: Nothing of this would have happened if they just put "Episode 1" in the game title. It was really more about the devs attitude than anything else.
True. Like pointing the finger and laughing at you.
Posted October 23, 2013
This is so dumb, there are shitty AAA games released every month, some are borderline scams (Colonial Marines), they don't get pulled... people need to own up to their decisions, you buy a game you deal with what you bought (as long as it isn't a scam).

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keeveek: Nothing of this would have happened if they just put "Episode 1" in the game title. It was really more about the devs attitude than anything else.
It has more to do with publisher Iceberg Interactive that came to the game after the failed Kickstarter, than with the devs. But you are right, very shitty attitude to have with your paying customers, releasing it as early-access, slapping "Episode 1", so many better decisions to be made than alienating your user base and shitting on the hard work of several people.
Post edited October 23, 2013 by Tychoxi
Posted October 23, 2013
high rated
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Tychoxi: This is so dumb, there are shitty AAA games released every month, some are borderline scams (Colonial Marines), they don't get pulled... people need to own up to their decisions, you buy a game you deal with what you bought (as long as it isn't a scam).

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keeveek: Nothing of this would have happened if they just put "Episode 1" in the game title. It was really more about the devs attitude than anything else.
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Tychoxi: It has more to do with publisher Iceberg Interactive that came to the game after the failed Kickstarter, than with the devs. But you are right, very shitty attitude to have with your paying customers, releasing it as early-access, slapping "Episode 1", so many better decisions to be made than alienating your user base and shitting on the hard work of several people.
Scam or not, what this publisher did was highly unethical. If it truly was going to be episodic than they should have been upfront about it. While the customers should own up and take responsibility, the publisher also needs to own up to their actions as well.

I was going to get this game, but I am glad I waited. The game looked really interesting to me and having a female protagonist gave the game brownie points in book.
Posted October 24, 2013
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Silverhawk170485: The game suddenly stops somewhere and tells the remaining story in text messenges.
The weirdest thing to me is that it doesn't even do that. Instead of telling "the remaining story", it just stops unexpectedly with a sort of "there are enemies behind you; your objective and more enemies lie ahead; you're reached the end; click screen to return to main menu" thing. The writing is more flowery than that, but it's nothing I'd regard as an ending in any sense except that it stops. As someone mentioned earlier, a crash-to-desktop would have a similar effect on the player.

Most WTF moment I've had in a game this year...
Posted October 24, 2013
Here is the ending of the game:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eTPS_GGhMqk

Sorry, this isn't a real ending even if this is only an episode.
Posted October 25, 2013
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KOC: this is why I love gog, they care about their customers (offering a refund)
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ruzenqures: LOL they have to do that dude. This could be avoided If properly tested.
Since the thread got bumped: not exactly, there's a difference. With GOG, you know you'll get a refund and/or store credit. Hell, when the Montague's Mount thing happened, I thought, hey, I can snag that game now and ask for a second game as compensation, haha lol profit. (I didn't because I'm too broke and conscientous for this, I just love finding theoretical ways to profit.) Same with Dark Matter. Point is, if GOG is so helpful as to be oh-exploitable, I can also rely on them to be helpful when there's an actual problem with my purchase. I cannot rely on Steam; they might provide a refund, but they might as well ban my ass for breaking "TOS".
Post edited October 25, 2013 by Starmaker
Posted October 25, 2013
GamersGate is still touting the game, though not offering it for sale at the moment. Still curious to see how all this plays out in the end.
Posted October 25, 2013
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Silverhawk170485: Here is the ending of the game:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eTPS_GGhMqk
wtf???
Attachments:
t0z0r6f.jpg (82 Kb)
Posted October 25, 2013
I read that they now want to make a video sequence at the ending of the game which should be a bit more satisfying.
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Community
General discussion (archive)Release: Dark Matter(219 posts)(219 posts)
(219 posts)