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No Man's Sky didn't end up being the game many had hoped it would be and to make matters worse, in many ways, it didn't turn out to be the game promised either. As a result of this, it looks like the UK Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has launched an investigation into Hello Games and its marketing for No Man's Sky.
The investigation was confirmed by an ASA rep speaking with Eurogamer and it seems that the complaint was brought forward by a Reddit user who found the gameplay trailers for No Man's Sky to be “vastly different” to the actual game.
No Man's Sky's Steam Store page is what Reddit user ‘AzzerUK' took issue with in particular, as it features screenshots and old trailers that aren't representative of the final game. Speaking with Eurogamer, he explained: “I figured that if we want Steam store pages for games to start falling in line and stop misleading consumers, then it would take consumers to point these problems out to the ASA, rather than all sit around on Reddit complaining to each other but assuming that it'll all get sorted by itself eventually.” [yframe url='http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nLtmEjqzg7M']
Many players have already given up on No Man's Sky, as evidenced by the game's player stats, which have fallen from over 212,000 concurrent players at launch to less than 1000 today. However, it looks like Hello Games will have more than a dwindling player base to worry about now with this investigation under way.
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KitGuru Says: Given just how high-profile No Man's Sky was, I'm not too surprised to hear that someone tried to get an official watchdog involved. Do you guys think the ASA should be getting involved with the No Man's Sky situation? Or do you think it's a step too far?
I can’t stand for people that say a thing, than do another one. ASA should indees investigate, since they don’t even respond on forums or sites, too much quiet for me.
This is a pretty clear case for the ASA to investigate… we’re not talking about a couple of graphics differences here, entire game-play features are missing and the actual product looks completely different from the promotional footage.
they should look at elite dangerous as well , the trailers are 100% nothing to do with the game its self,
Someone give that guy a medal for actually doing something about it. I would be amazed if Hello Games don’t get taken to court over this.
Though the real question is if Hello Games do get fined/sued for this, will Steam change its refund option for everyone in the UK as Steam is already circumventing the consumer rights act (which is illegal)?
I think what everyone is upset about is that they made it look like the game would let you play online with your friends kinda sorta even though they never stated that in plain English the idea was put out there. Most of what it shows in this game trailer actually is in the game I have seen dino’s like that. What I never have seen is how they made it look like you were apart of a flying squad and able to attack armada’s like they were in the trailer in the game I was always by myself and it was me getting attacked by NPC flyers from time to time. In this trailer they make it look like you are with other people but to clue should have been their was no player game titles on the other ships.
I know my friend was upset that he could not join me or others to explore the worlds if they were to update the game so you could do that then I think every one or almost everyone would be happy because this game would be ideal to explore worlds with friends. I played it for a whole weekend and it was fun but once you see 25 worlds and 7 galaxies and are alone it gets old fast. They really need to add content to the game or make it so you can have friends explore together then it would shut most everyone up.
Is that what everyone’s issue is about? Genuinely interested…
I wonder how much of this is Sony’s fault. This was going to just be an indie title, but when Sony’s marketing blew it up, Hello Games may have rushed it out the door to try and strike while the iron was hot. Also, this all would’ve been a much easier pill to swallow if the game was only $30 or $40 instead of $60. It had no right being $60, considering it was only made by like 20 people in 3 years.
“though they never stated that in plain English the idea was put out there”
Have you seen Sean on The Colbert Report? Colbert: “Can you see other players?” Sean: “Yes.”
friend has the game, he gets attacked by stronger and stronger pirates whenever he updates his ship, he flies back to his grave in his broken ship and collects all of the dropped loot, so why get attacked.
he then buys a new ship and finds his old ship abandoned by the purchaser soon after who then gets off planet ?
liked the idea of multiplayer, but based on his comments and other reviews, rather glad that did not blow £46 on a single player game 🙂
So Hello Games COULD easily rectify this, they can simply put a banner at the bottom of the video that says “Not Actual Gameplay Footage” – This is an easy work around. And despite all the hype, and the “one mans lies” fiasco, I’d say 90% of people out there know about NMS and it’s woes. I doubt too much will come of this, but I do believe the ASA should be involved.
I got my refund telling them about the Consumer Rights Act 2015, they denied it at first, until I told them it has been changed to include digital goods and services, and based on the fact this game was missold to me, they still stuck to their guns, until I told them I started a case with the financial ombudsman… and within a few hours.. my refund was processed “this time”.
Valve has always been cheeky when it comes to the laws of other countries, remember the whole Half Life 2 fiasco when they accused people of stealing the game even though they bought it and charged people $10 to have it reactivated.
I took them to a small claims court years ago (about 9 I think now) to get my money back for the game as they basically were not adhering to the CRA back then either, plus I got a bit extra for the trouble and court fees paid for.
So if you are in the UK and Valve isn’t budging from the 2 hour rubbish etc, explain about the CRA 2015 and if that doesn’t work tell them you will start a claim with the Financial Ombudsman and watch them squirm.
Trailers are one thing, they aren’t expected to be 100%. But NMS went further and Hello Games lied about features that were not even in the game, along with misleading screenshots that are obviously not with the final release.
Epic! I’ll be passing this on to a few friends who have been having problems with Steam refunds over NMS.
how to kill an indie game company and make sure that another game on this scale doesn’t happen.
Not 100% sure if that is everyone’s gripe but anyone I know that bought it was upset about no player to player battles or co-op mode. I am sure there are lots of things people do not like about the game. I actually enjoyed it for a weekend of game play but got bored after that it needs more things to do other than walk around then jump in ship fly then walk around again…gets old pretty fast.