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Steam users refund hit new game 55,000 times despite 'very positive' reviews External Article (www.polygon.com)
submitted 4 months ago by to c/Bside@fedia.io
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Paddle Paddle Paddle is a friendslop game with largely positive reviews, but that hasn't protected it from one of Valve's worst indie game policies

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[–] 7 points 4 months ago

Not taking any sides here. But as a developer this isn't really a new thing? So if there is a danger of people being done with your game in 2 hours, maybe rather release it on itch.io or wherever? I understand that may not look as attractive, seeing how Steam dominates the market, but it may still lead to you keeping more money from sales.

Steam could however make an exception for short games, but probably this would open some other weird loopholes too that I cannot think of.

Unlike what the article says, I think even at a sales price of 3 dollars I would not be happy to pay for a game lasting less than 2 hours and chances are that all refunders have similar thoughts. Not a fair comparison, but I just got Hollow Knight in the summer sale close to what this game is costing full price.

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    [–] 3 points 4 months ago (5 children)

    Wtf is friendslop?

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  • [–] 5 points 4 months ago

    It's a bit loosely defined, but it's a term for a new "genre" of indie game, turned around fairly quickly, with an emphasis on multiplayer, usually proximity voice chat, sold for cheap. They're games that are meant to let you and your friends create really fun moments together.

    It's "slop" because these aren't usually very deep games, with fairly simplistic art, usually sold for less than 10$, but honestly they're fantastic, and I'd highly recommend many of them.

    My favourites would probably be Lethal Company and Peak, but there's also Content Warning, RV Life, REPO, Gamble with your Friends, and tons of others.

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  • [–] -3 points 4 months ago (3 children)

    one of these ridiculous new terms for games made to be played with friends.

    It also might have its roots in anti-semitic 4chanesque language too.

    It's just a bad term all around.

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  • [–] 7 points 4 months ago (2 children)

    Anti-Semitic?! What?! How even hahaha

    It has roots in low-effort, especially AI/LLM stuff. Beyond AI/LLM, it often refers to stuff with low replay value or little gameplay time put out for streamers to play with each other for their audience.

    Where are you getting antisemitism?

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  • [–] 0 points 4 months ago* (last edited 4 months ago) (1 child)

    it can be related to the term goyslop. Just like the AI/LLM one can be in some circumstances.

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  • [–] 2 points 4 months ago* (last edited 4 months ago)

    What is GOYslop??

    Edit:

    Wikipedia:

    Goyslop is an antisemitic internet slang term for ultra-processed foods, fast food, and other mass-produced products, framed by conspiracy theorists as a tool used by Jewish elites to keep non-Jews unhealthy and compliant.[1][2][3]

    The term is a compound word joining goy, a Hebrew and Yiddish word for a non-Jew or gentile,[4][3] and slop, meaning food waste or refuse of low quality.

    I just.... Everyday, I swear. At this point, maybe it's better to not know.

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    • [–] 3 points 4 months ago (1 child)

    maybe the game should have been longer

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