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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 21, 2013
high rated
All;

It's come to our attention that the gamecard for Dark Matter was not quite specific enough about the nature of the game and, as a result, it may be that some people bought the title with some misapprehensions as to how the game's story would end. Since we don't ever want to sell a game to someone because they believe it is something that it is not, we wanted to let you know about this and let you know what we're doing to make it right.

If you bought Dark Matter before 21 October 2013 at 15:00 GMT (when we updated the description to where we feel it adequately reflects the game) and you feel that the game wasn't as promised to you, please contact Support and they'll be happy to offer you full refund to your card or, if you''d prefer, games of equal or lesser value to the sale price of Dark Matter (which is $13.49).

We're sorry if anyone who bought the game isn't happy with the way it was represented, and we hope this makes it right for you guys.

If you've got any questions, hit me up and I'll try to answer 'em for you.
Post edited October 21, 2013 by TheEnigmaticT
Posted October 21, 2013
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wormholewizards: Maybe even GOG staffs are caught by surprise. Usually when people are talking about "unfinished", they are referring to the state and overall quality of the game. With this one it is literally unfinished.

It could tarnish the indies.
The interesting thing on this is reading through the Steam forums...

http://steamcommunity.com/app/251410/discussions/0/

It appears that the developers may have been laid off after the alpha was demo'd (or shortly thereafter) and the publisher then just pushed what they had so far ... It's not quite a fair scenario compared to the other 'true' indies who are self publishing...
Posted October 21, 2013
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mistermumbles: . Somehow I doubt the GOG staffers fully played through this one before it popped up in the catalog so they may have been caught unaware. At least I hope so....
In general, I only seriously consider purchasing the games GoG staffers have thoroughly gnawed upon, really cut their teeth into, and only casually consider the games they have drooled over... :/
Posted October 21, 2013
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TheEnigmaticT: All;

It's come to our attention that the gamecard for Dark Matter was not quite specific enough about the nature of the game and, as a result, it may be that some people bought the title with some misapprehensions as to how the game's story would end. Since we don't ever want to sell a game to someone because they believe it is something that it is not, we wanted to let you know about this and let you know what we're doing to make it right.

If you bought Dark Matter before 21 October 2013 at 15:00 GMT (when we updated the description to where we feel it adequately reflects the game) and you feel that the game wasn't as promised to you, please contact Support and they'll be happy to offer you full refund to your card or, if you''d prefer, games of equal or lesser value to the sale price of Dark Matter (which is $13.49).

We're sorry if anyone who bought the game isn't happy with the way it was represented, and we hope this makes it right for you guys.

If you've got any questions, hit me up and I'll try to answer 'em for you.
You might want to edit this part of the description, too:
"4 weapons, each with 4 ammo types. Elemental ammo effects that allow you to freeze, dissolve, electrocute or set fire to your enemies"

As near as I could tell, there were only two types of elemental ammos that could actually be used in the game. The specs for a third exist, but there is no way to actually make any. Whatever.

Thanks for taking care of this for us, GOG. You're one of the few places I'll even risk buying a game at launch.
Posted October 21, 2013
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TheEnigmaticT:
Thanks for the update, I'll probably take you up on the offer a game in trade since I don't want you to have to pay money back for something that was misrepresented to you as well. If this had been a $2.99 or even $5.99 title I likely wouldn't even bother with that, since I got at least $3 worth of fun out of it. But it is not good value at the asking price.

The gamecard now states that this release is "The first half...", much as Montague's Mount has been described by some. I know you have no control over it, but how likely do you feel it is that the devs will finish the remainder?
Posted October 21, 2013
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IAmSinistar: Thanks for the update, I'll probably take you up on the offer a game in trade since I don't want you to have to pay money back for something that was misrepresented to you as well. If this had been a $2.99 or even $5.99 title I likely wouldn't even bother with that, since I got at least $3 worth of fun out of it. But it is not good value at the asking price.

The gamecard now states that this release is "The first half...", much as Montague's Mount has been described by some. I know you have no control over it, but how likely do you feel it is that the devs will finish the remainder?
The developers were allegedly let go so it looks like there won't be any continuation or meaningful 'fix' to the end.
Posted October 21, 2013
IMO the game should be removed from sale... since it is 99.9% not ever going to be completed... and changing a text ending screen "bug" doesn't cut the mustard with me.
Posted October 21, 2013
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jimbob0i0: The developers were allegedly let go so it looks like there won't be any continuation or meaningful 'fix' to the end.
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Bigs: IMO the game should be removed from sale... since it is 99.9% not ever going to be completed... and changing a text ending screen "bug" doesn't cut the mustard with me.
Unfortunately I concur here, it seems rather improbable that the game will ever be touched again by the devs, apart from possibly removing the "to be continued" part. I understand how legally GOG can't commit to answering what will happen with future development, since they are neither the developers nor the publisher. But at the same time I think this is a dubious item to leave in the GOG catalogue at this time, even more so at the current price. I believe that this only rewards the publishers for putting out an incomplete product, which is hardly a disincentive to others who might consider the same strategy.
Posted October 21, 2013
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TheEnigmaticT: All;

It's come to our attention that the gamecard for Dark Matter was not quite specific enough about the nature of the game and, as a result, it may be that some people bought the title with some misapprehensions as to how the game's story would end. Since we don't ever want to sell a game to someone because they believe it is something that it is not, we wanted to let you know about this and let you know what we're doing to make it right.

If you bought Dark Matter before 21 October 2013 at 15:00 GMT (when we updated the description to where we feel it adequately reflects the game) and you feel that the game wasn't as promised to you, please contact Support and they'll be happy to offer you full refund to your card or, if you''d prefer, games of equal or lesser value to the sale price of Dark Matter (which is $13.49).

We're sorry if anyone who bought the game isn't happy with the way it was represented, and we hope this makes it right for you guys.

If you've got any questions, hit me up and I'll try to answer 'em for you.
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fylchi: You might want to edit this part of the description, too:
"4 weapons, each with 4 ammo types. Elemental ammo effects that allow you to freeze, dissolve, electrocute or set fire to your enemies"

As near as I could tell, there were only two types of elemental ammos that could actually be used in the game. The specs for a third exist, but there is no way to actually make any. Whatever.

Thanks for taking care of this for us, GOG. You're one of the few places I'll even risk buying a game at launch.
I'll have our team look into this tomorrow. Thanks. :)
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Bigs: IMO the game should be removed from sale... since it is 99.9% not ever going to be completed... and changing a text ending screen "bug" doesn't cut the mustard with me.
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IAmSinistar: Unfortunately I concur here, it seems rather improbable that the game will ever be touched again by the devs, apart from possibly removing the "to be continued" part. I understand how legally GOG can't commit to answering what will happen with future development, since they are neither the developers nor the publisher. But at the same time I think this is a dubious item to leave in the GOG catalogue at this time, even more so at the current price. I believe that this only rewards the publishers for putting out an incomplete product, which is hardly a disincentive to others who might consider the same strategy.
Well, that's hard to call. One of the awesomest adventure games series in the catalog--Tex Murphy--ended on a cliffhanger that stood for 15 years before there was any word of it being resolved. We sold Overseer with a clear conscience--because the game was good--and as long as the product page properly describes Dark Matter, I don't see where it's a problem if this game ends on a cliffhanger, too.
Post edited October 21, 2013 by TheEnigmaticT
Posted October 21, 2013
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TheEnigmaticT: Well, that's hard to call. One of the awesomest adventure games series in the catalog--Tex Murphy--ended on a cliffhanger that stood for 15 years before there was any word of it being resolved. We sold Overseer with a clear conscience--because the game was good--and as long as the product page properly describes Dark Matter, I don't see where it's a problem if this game ends on a cliffhanger, too.
Perhaps, but the Tex Murphy series also had a proven track record of releasing full games, as well as experienced developers behind it. Sure that's a big wait, but many people might argue that it didn't detract from that game (just as I have no problem with the ending to System Shock 2, even if System Shock 3 is never made). I believe this situation is not an exact parallel, as this is the first game in the "series", and there are no similar signs that the developers or publishers are as committed to the property as those behind Tex Murphy were.

I need to play this to the end to see what my own feelings are about the resolution before I speak any more out of turn. But if it ends anywhere like what others are describing, I fear it is likely to be an overpriced and unpopular addition to the GOG catalogue. Worse, I feel it sends a signal to publishers that GOG is now willing to carry incomplete or theoretically-episodic games, even if they are only revealed as such retroactively.
Posted October 21, 2013
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TheEnigmaticT: Well, that's hard to call. One of the awesomest adventure games series in the catalog--Tex Murphy--ended on a cliffhanger that stood for 15 years before there was any word of it being resolved. We sold Overseer with a clear conscience--because the game was good--and as long as the product page properly describes Dark Matter, I don't see where it's a problem if this game ends on a cliffhanger, too.
In this case, the game doesn't even really make it to a proper cliffhanger -- It just sort of ends randomly in the middle of a quest while exploring what's behind a random door. I've never seen anything like quite like it. Honestly, the difference between their text screen "ending" and a crash to desktop isn't that large. (both in terms of artistic merit and fun factor for the player.)

I'm not a fan of episodic games, but at least they make an effort to reach a nice stopping point and give the player a nice sense of satisfaction for their money. This game, far from doing that, spends most of its time foreshadowing creatures and weapons and plot that you simply will never see. They clearly never intended to have it end where it did -- between that and the overall lack of polish / brokeness, I can't see an honest game developer trying to pass this off a complete game.

The devs attitude seems to be: "we gave you half the game, so we're going to charge half the price for it.." Thing is -- half a game (especially the first half) is worth a heck of a lot less than what I'd pay for a complete polished experience. I could see paying maybe 3 or 4 dollars for this in the state it's in. And, yeah, I'd put the chances of ever seeing any new content for this game at nearly zero.
Posted October 21, 2013
We're now hearing that any second episode will be 'dependent on the success of the previous installment'. http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/128885-Dark-Matter-Publisher-Claims-Its-An-Episodic-Series?utm_source=feedly
Posted October 21, 2013
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VanishedOne: We're now hearing that any second episode will be 'dependent on the success of the previous installment'
Right-o. Iceberg has already dug this game's grave. Done an' buried it, too. I really don't think that at this point there will be any success to speak of.
Post edited October 21, 2013 by mistermumbles
Posted October 21, 2013
Didn't quite expect this, but here's another slap in Icberg's face. Steam stopped selling the game (for the time being) because of all the brouhaha. Notice there's no option to buy the game anymore.
Notice: Currently there is a known issue at the end of the game. The developer is aware of the issue and they are working on a patch as a solution.
Pfft. Like a patch is really is going to fix an abrupt ending? Okay then.

I still think GOG should pull the game from being sold as well. ... Oh well.
Posted October 21, 2013
Ah, the more I read about this the more I feel that this is a worse case than Montague's Mount - at least the latter still has its actual and carrying developer behind it.


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TheEnigmaticT: snip
Well, that's hard to call. One of the awesomest adventure games series in the catalog--Tex Murphy--ended on a cliffhanger that stood for 15 years before there was any word of it being resolved. We sold Overseer with a clear conscience--because the game was good--and as long as the product page properly describes Dark Matter, I don't see where it's a problem if this game ends on a cliffhanger, too.
That's quite an unfair and unconvincing comparison.
Based on the info around the Interent, the IP is in the hands of a company with a very limited portfolio that let the developing team go a few months ago after a failed Kickstarter campaign. The publisher made it crystal-clear that there won't be any more Dark Matter unless they see some money coming in - nobody knows how much is expected.

How likely is it that it'll sell well enough for Iceberg Interactive and InterWave Studios to warrant the continuation? Feedback all over the Internet is negative - on GOG, the game has currently five reviews, three of which say "don't buy, it's unfinished" providing links to support it and listed as the most helpful ones. The response to the backlash has been nth but typical PR talk, which indicates that the entities still related to this IP are not passionate enough about it and its continuation.

I fear there's a bad trend forming that can (will?) potentially hurt GOG. Is it possible that the contracts signed contain clauses that prevent GOG from taking the game(s) down? Or could it be that GOG has handed out the royalties in advance and needs to recoup (at least some of) them? Maybe some combination? I'm just wondering because TET's posts are very carefully worded with PR vocabulary.
Given the two similar incidents within a timeframe of ten days, maybe it's worth (and time?) to reassess the stages and steps of signing new indies.
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Community
General discussion (archive)Release: Dark Matter(219 posts)(219 posts)
(219 posts)