Well, if you have access to an alpha version, you're basically a tester. It makes no sense to do anything like a review on an alpha version.
this post was submitted on 12 May 2024
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Also it’s very common to have NDAs at that stage
The last closed alpha I was in had watermarks appearing all over the screen constantly with an id to link back to you
Lol Alpha tests are rarely for what they should be, which is testing core features of the game not yet finished. In reality, it's used to excuse negative aspects they have no plans of fixing.
Fuck em. Talk shit if you feel inclined to. Making you sign a contract otherwise is the peak of insecurities.
Sometimes Alpha has functions/features not being disclosed to public to keep some sort of advantage over another competitior release, and so an NDA is normal practise. I just had one in march for a software that has been around 40 years, i can't discuss or disclose any of its features until june. personally I would think telling customers the new stuff coming is a great selling feature, but there is industrial espionage so everytging is hush hush till release day
An NDA is fine, a clause to restrict "disparaging remarks" is not. If you can't say anything there's no need for such a clause.
I disagree, people provide helpful reviews for closed beta games all the time. These help inform users on the trajectory of the development, core aspects of the story and main gameplay loop.
If you're exposing your game to the public, public opinion is expected and deserved.
In the article it says it's a closed alpha. That's not exposing it to the public.
Thats like reviewing chicken dinner before its fucking cooked. “Gee Bill, this chicken is really rubbery and gave me salmonella, I really think it’s going in the wrong direction. 3/10” jesus fuck we gotta review everything these days??
Exactly. I do believe the studio should have communicated that better, though. Or maybe they did and some people decided to gripe anyway
I mean, that's a fair criticism in a way. If Bill lets you taste the chicken at that point, it's reasonable to comment on what he let you taste. If he didn't think it was ready enough to get your opinion on, he shouldn't have let you taste it at all.
It's more like inviting someone into the kitchen when dinner's going to be done soon to provide feedback towards the finished meal.
Taste this, does it need more salt, more time in the oven, what should I garnish with, etc.
If the taster starts doing an influencer food review in the kitchen commenting on the understated food that needs more time in the oven and doesn't even have a garnish, they're missing the point.
On the other side, look at BG3, which was able to incorporate fan feedback and make a superior game than they would have.
Alpha and beta aren't really the same though. Alpha is meant to be unstable and feature incomplete while beta is supposed to be simply missing polish. For Alpha reviews to have real value they need to provide that context. Otherwise, it's just an exercise for the reviewer
Betas are feature complete. Alphas are not. Reviewing a game that isn't even functionally completed is peak dumb. Reviewing it in beta is less dumb, but also a bit dumb because that's when a majority of major issues that could lower a review score are squashed.
Only bad games are afraid of reviews of their alpha versions. :)
Is that a joke?
Isn’t that condition illegal, and thus unenforceable (at least in the U.S.)?
Not as far as I'm aware. NDAs are pretty common.
Interestingly, there is no NDA if you don't sign up for the "Official Content Creators" program and just get regular access. Check the FAQ on the official page: https://www.marvelrivals.com/news/official/20240506/40185_1153552.html
This actually may be unconscionable if it's considered to be "never share a negative opinion about the game in perpetuity" as it's worded.
That’s what I’d like clarification on. Publicizing trade secrets is one thing. Merely giving an opinion is quite another.
That part isn't needed as part of an NDA. I think people are upset because it is blatantly unnecessary so it appears they are hiding something.