Time is valuable, and so is respect. I just don't know why it's so important to so vigorously defend and support what is, by all accounts, lying. We tend to sympathize with developers, probably instinctively. In this strange, new environment, developers have unprecedented access to their audiences, and many of them work hard to forge relationships among online communities. Because of this, we seem to forget that developers - nice as they are - are still "the company" and we are still "the consumers." In what world is it acceptable for a company to lie to its consumers and then claim that it's OK because the result is "only X"? Just because we like the messenger doesn't mean that the message is impervious to criticism. Again, I feel that excuses are being made as to why a company lying to its consumers is acceptable. While it's certainly subjective, I maintain that the analogy is sound. Being wronged is not a free pass to correct the situation at your own discretion. If a retail store refuses to give you a refund, is it your right to reach into the cash register and take the money you believe is owed to you? I actually agree with you somewhat that shill reviews for free games aren't as big of a deal. In reality, it doesn't matter AT ALL what the rating for a free app is because everyone can download it and try it for themselves. That said, not only is shilling for free games insulting to honest consumers, but it's also nearly completely useless. (I know it sucks to see a really good lite app at 3 stars, but (1) 3 stars isn't that bad - I've rarely seen a truly good lite app at less than 3 stars - and it would certainly never discourage me from trying a FREE app that I was already interested in to begin with, and (2) if the app is so good, there should be enough good reviews for the full version so that the information is there for all to discern for themselves. While this "problem" sucks and is beyond embarrassing for Apple to have neglected, it's not really that dire of a situation when looked at with a clear head, unadulterated by sympathies, anger or other emotions.)
I think you need to read my post again and try to more closely match your response to my statements. I just reread my post and can find no spot where I "so vigorously defend", neither can I find a place where I say "lying to its consumers is acceptable". I did say I don't think its such a big deal, and I did say I cut them some slack. If you would like to comment on those statements, I would be happy to respond to you. This is exactly what I was trying to say. While the problem of shill reviews for free apps sucks and is beyond embarrassing for developers who do it, it's not really that dire of a situation when looked at with a clear head, unadulterated by sympathies, anger or other emotions. Michael
Ok well I got the game. Forget about the questionable reviews for the free version its not even worth talking about that because its free anyone can try it. But as for the full version I asked the dev about those 2 strange reviews you showed and his response is Anyway in case your still wondering about the game, its not bad, pretty good. One thing I dont like is you cant continue to make matches while the blocks are falling, it just pauses and makes you wait.
please add brilliant worlds, and their app hero defense to the list. 2 glowing reviews for the game, one playing stupid about how to play the game, and only reviewed this and 2 free podcasts other one only reviewed the game. minutes after it's release magically these reviews went up, crazy i tell you
Parking Panic by Psychosis Studios. 1st review out reviewed all their games. Wheelie Joe by Green Egg Games. At least he is honest "The greatest game I've ever played!" - My Friends "The most important game of our generation!" - Me "Why don't you get a real job?" - My Mom
haha, the "brownies with dog crap" analogy really made me laugh I think it's a good analogy to show how bad it is to deceive people. But, what if someone baked really good brownies (with no crap), and noone tried it, then he said "these are great brownies, I tasted them, they are awesome"..then you try one, and damn! They are really good brownies! Would it be bad in this case as well? Because then it wouldn't be ripping anyone off - it's actually doing them a favor. I think almost all product commercials do that in a way - especially the ones that have "real" customers testifying. I'm not defending anyone btw. But I do know how hard it is to get attention in the appstore. Fake reviews turn me off too - and i do always look out for that. But then if I see NO reviews, it actually turns me off even more. I feel like "Geez! Even their friends or family didn't like the game"...haha Similarly, stupid reviews are also bothersome. It drives me nuts when someone gives one star while asking a question like "is there a level 20?"..or someone misunderstands how the game works and criticizes it based on his own stupidity and it's all wrong. As a developer when we read those kinds of reviews we get really frustrated. It's easy to communicate with some of the players on the forums, but there are thousands of players who don't participate in the forums. Anyway, I guess the bottom line is deception is wrong but it's hard to know what is deception and what is not. Reviews on the Appstore are sure not trustworthy - whether left by real players or not.
You and I already talked about this a few pages back. The way they're doing it now IT IS easy to spot out. People aren't stupid.
Newest addition to the shill list - Track Star by Zideaw. 1st and only 12 reviewers only reviewed this one game.
You do realize that some of the major companies in this space are getting 300 reviews in the 1st hour after the title goes live.
So where is the list? I just see a whole bunch of pages I don't want to read through....how about an actual list in the original post listing all the companys/devs in a threads titled "Shill review list"
yeah periodically I will organize and post updated complete lists so you won't have to scroll through the pages. A couple of the devs who made the list have been removed/edited out for apologizing
Yup I understand that. I was just suggesting you put that list in the first post. You can always edit it by adding or removing devs from it anytime you want.
lol I'll just add em and organize them and post an updated list every few weeks. But you're free to do whatever you want, if you want to modify my first post go ahead fine with me.
Ladies and gentlemen, the next entry on the shill review list is a real scam artist... Meson Networks Ltd. - "iFlighter Control" Not only did this clown have the nerve to rip-off Firemint's game, he is also shilling his game. Check the store review. Other apps by this dev... Hot Pipes, Subway Supreme also have shills.
lol look at the reviewers http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewSoftware?id=325321206&mt=8
