ATTN Sega: Roadmap to Fixing Release

[Miraglyth]

Sonic Superstars has launched with a few issues. I'd like to offer my input from the standpoint of a consumer with intimate history of the Sonic Mania launch issues, to help you navigate these in a way that is acceptable to users.

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Ongoing Issues

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Denuvo

Problem

Sonic Superstars uses Denuvo Anti-Tamper, presumably as an attempt to delay piracy.

Context

Despite the lies of its creators and now its owners Irdeto, Denuvo Anti-Tamper does "have any negative impact on a game or customer experience". Principally it phones home periodically, and if it cannot do so (either the user is offline or the servers are down, which has happened several times in recent years), the game will not run at all. I have already personally confirmed that Denuvo can make Sonic Superstars unplayable, causing an error message "For the first launch go in Online Mode" even if the game had been launched before.

There are also persistent concerns about impact on gameplay performance; for Sonic Mania, it was proven to dramatically increase the game's startup time and it was also identified as the cause of some memory leaks (though these were fixed in a patch).

The Steam Store Page for Sonic Superstars did not mention Denuvo Anti-Tamper as third-party DRM. This caused buyers to get their hopes up as all previous Sonic games since the Sonic Mania debacle have mentioned it prior to release. Even after release, it is not mentioned on the store page.

Lastly, Sonic Superstars is a Unity game. For Unity games, Denuvo does not operate on the game itself but a Unity runtime. This means its protection is minimal, and once it fails the only effect of its inclusion will be to inconvenience and lock out legitimate buyers who don't have the knowledge or the foresight to circumvent it (which is prohibited in the game's EULA, though this is unenforceable in every country where circumventing broken DRM to repair a broken product is fully permitted).

Solution

Given its ineffectiveness on Unity games, it makes no sense to use Denuvo Anti-Tamper at all. The most logical choice would be to simply remove it, either now or within short order of the game's inevitable piracy because it is essentially unprotected already.

If it must be used for non-protection reasons - such as to satisfy shareholders - it is recommended to remove it within a reasonable time after release, such as after 3 or 6 months. This would still achieve Denuvo's stated intention to "protect the important launch window" where the majority of sales happen, while significantly reducing the damage and upset caused to the game's legitimate buyers. This is an approach many publishers (such as Capcom) consistently employ which has led to their cusomers giving them increased sales and well-deserved praise.

If Denuvo is to be retained for a limited period, it is strongly advised that you use a News post to announce plans to remove it in a reasonable time, as this will satisfy users who don't mind it being used for a limited time to protect a launch window (who will then flip to disagreeing with people who still complain after that). If it is to be retained for any time at all, the Store Page needs to be updated to mention it (the relevant field is called website_third_party_drm). Edit: This last one has now been done.

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Epic Games bundling

Problem

The game's installation (and with every use of "Verify integrity of game files") creates a 112 MB file in the installation directory: EpicOnlineServices/EpicOnlineServicesInstaller.exe

Unless this file is removed, launching the game attempts to quietly install and/or update an Epic Online Services service (this can be cancelled).
If the file is removed, launching the game forcibly opens users' default browser (stealing focus from the game) loading an Epic Games login page.

Context

PC users are sensibly opposed to the unsolicited installation of software they didn't agree to; which is justifiable since Epic Online Services runs in the background on Windows even when Sonic Superstars is not running!

Moreover several PC gamers seriously distrust Epic Games after committing several anti-consumer practises over the last few years. The lack of warning about installation of Epic Games software is upsetting.

Solution

The game's launch process needs to be updated to ask users if they consent to the installation of Epic Online Services before any installation commences. As with the Epic Games login, this prompt should include the option "No, and don't ask me again" so users do not need to repeat the selection every time they start the game. Ideally the game's installation should also not include the EpicOnlineServicesInstaller.exe, which should only be downloaded if the user clicks "Yes" for this prompt as a bandwidth and disk space saving measure.

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Comic Book Skin Pack

Problem

The DLC "Comic Book Skin Pack" is unavailable on PC at all, although some users have it anyway.

Context

Beyond its JP and USA only existence on consoles, this was a DLC users had no prior knowledge about. Its temporary availability on Steam was as much of a surprise as its subsequent unavailability. To our knowledge there is no license-based reason for withholding this from an AAA-priced title.

It was available for users to freely claim on Steam for 24 minutes and 3 seconds before first being made unclaimable[steamdb.info] and then being removed[steamdb.info]. 2 minutes later it was made available again[steamdb.info] for 1 minute and 3 seconds before being made unclaimable again[steamdb.info].

On October 26th it was delisted from the Steam Store entirely, though users that previously claim it can still use it, meaning they are the only Sonic Superstars PC players with a complete product.

Solution

Unless Sega have signed an exclusivity deal to make this DLC available from some kind of third-party promotion (e.g. Prime Gaming) or intends to distribute it through a newsletter code, at this point it is best to just readd it to PC stores and reactivate it for users to buy or claim (if free). As things stand it is unfair that some users were able to claim it while everyone else is unable to.

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Solved Issues

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Exclusive Amy Skin

Problem

The code hasn't been distributed yet!

Context

When signing up to the Sonic Superstars newsletter, players were told:

Originally posted by Newsletter:

The download code for your exclusive Amy skin will be sent after Sonic Superstars releases

Sonic Superstars has released and the code hasn't been distributed yet.

Solution

Distribute the code. (I expect this is already scheduled to be distributed shortly, I'm just mentioning it in this post as it's presently a launch issue.)

Update (18 Oct):
This is now solved, as codes are being distributed.

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Epic Online Services integration

Problem

Upon startup Sonic Superstars interrupts the intro to bark at users that they "need" an Epic Games account to play the game at all.

https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3052897229

This message lies; clicking the tiny cross in the upper-right side of the screen closes the interruption without denying access to the entire game.

Context

Sonic Superstars uses Epic Online Services to host the online portion of its cross-platform multiplayer component "Battle Mode". Epic Online Services can be used with or without manually-created user accounts, as described in its documentation here[dev.epicgames.com]:

Originally posted by Epic Online Services (EOS) Overview:

Epic Online Services (EOS) [snip] are split into two subsets: EOS Game Services and EOS Epic Account Services.

• EOS Game Services enable you to build and integrate online functionality into your game. You can set up your game to use Games Services without any requirement for your players to have an Epic Games account.
  
• EOS Epic Account Services provide player accounts. Use Epic Account Services to tap into an ecosystem of over 500 million players across multiple platforms and stores.

Several popular online games use Epic Online Services without manually-created user accounts, and some do not need user accounts of any kind. Sonic Superstars presently requires manually-created user accounts to access this component in the game.

Solution

First and foremost, please update the startup interruption to NOT lie to users that they need an Epic Games account. This is never true in any circumstance, and it is causing Steam users distress. Ideally there should be no request (not demand) to use ANY Epic Online Services or Epic Games measures unless the users attempts to access the online portion of Battle Mode. But if a startup screen is absolutely necessary, please make the tiny X to close it more prominent and please add an additional option: "No, and don't ask me again."

Second, please amend the game from to either use a headless EOS Account Services account (without manual account creation) or to using EOS Game Services[dev.epicgames.com] which needs no accounts at all. Either option would cause Steam users no loss in functionality, and would satisfy all but extremely irrational users. Nobody minds using Epic Online Services seamlessly, the problem most players have is the need to create and maintain a personally-identifying account with a vendor they do not trust (often with legitimate reason).

Update 1 (20 Oct):
Sega have announced they're looking to update the game to remove the lying account requirement message. I suspect this means it'll be moved to the Battle Mode screens, which is still an improvement.

Update 2 (20 Oct):
This is now fixed by today's update.

[WolfEisberg]

Since this game would generally and naturally appeal to kids under 13, it's highly likely that Sega chose to require Epic account for online portion to be compliant with COPPA law and other countries equivalent around the world. Sega covering themselves since the FTC has been going hard on many companies for not being compliant with COPPA.

Epic Games Account services are COPPA compliant and the creation of under age of 13 in a compliant manner is included in the service.

[Miraglyth]

Hi Eisberg, infamous Epic supporter. It's been a while.

You're using a smokescreen. No software requires a specific online backend (i.e. none of the others are allowed) to be compliant with any law. That's not how laws work, and if Steamworks Multiplayer, ButterscotchID or any other alternative online service was illegal they'd be getting sued all over the place.

More importantly this doesn't matter. Sonic Superstars players shouldn't need any online services backend if they only intend to play the main game modes. Presently users are practically being bullied and (wrongly) told that an Epic Games account is required before they can play any part of the game.

[WolfEisberg]

Originally posted by Miraglyth:

Hi Eisberg, infamous Epic supporter. It's been a while.

You're using a smokescreen. No software requires a specific online backend (i.e. none of the others are allowed) to be compliant with any law. That's not how laws work, and if Steamworks Multiplayer, ButterscotchID or any other alternative online service was illegal they'd be getting sued all over the place.

More importantly this doesn't matter. Sonic Superstars players shouldn't need any online services backend if they only intend to play the main game modes. Presently users are practically being bullied and (wrongly) told that an Epic Games account is required before they can play any part of the game.

I didn't say it needed specific backend. I also didn't state all other online services are illegal. If somethng needs to be compliant it is based on whether that service or game appeals generally to kids under 13 or not, to the point it can be a significant portion of it's player base. Sonic would fit in that. So to cover their own bums they would be best to have an account system that includes systems in place for kids under 13 to have. EOS provides all of that, But Sega could have chosen to create their own system if they wanted to, but since Epic provides it for free, it makes sense to use EOS instead of the expense to create and maintain their own.

[Miraglyth]

So basically "Any option was fine, including the option I like forcing accounts when they could have been headless". Thanks for that non-input, I guess?

It doesn't change the assertion that Epic Games accounts were never necessary. Or that a ton of the game's Steam users will never have any need for them, Or that the game is hounding everyone to sign in every time it is launched. Or that it by default installs the Epic Online Services software other EOS-using games have never needed.

[Major Gnuisance]

I've refunded my pre-order over the issues described here.
I'll be waiting for a solution to them before I consider buying this game again.
Especially for Denuvo.

[ingueferroque]

Great post, thank you. I will be hovering over the refund button awaiting Sega's response.

[Grand Captain Speedy Dash]

I left my negative review and am in the process of refunding the game for these very issues.

[WolfEisberg]

Originally posted by Miraglyth:

So basically "Any option was fine, including the option I like forcing accounts when they could have been headless". Thanks for that non-input, I guess?

It doesn't change the assertion that Epic Games accounts were never necessary. Or that a ton of the game's Steam users will never have any need for them, Or that the game is hounding everyone to sign in every time it is launched. Or that it by default installs the Epic Online Services software other EOS-using games have never needed.

The proxy accounts wouldn't be COPPA compliant. I'm explaining the very real likelihood why Sega chose full accounts only instead of having the proxy version too.

[Miraglyth]

Originally posted by WolfEisberg:

I'm explaining

For the third time, the only explanation I (and evidently several others) care for is why there's no option to say "I never want an Epic Games account or for unwanted software (that other EOS-using games have never needed) to be installed on my system".

If you can't answer that, you're welcome to leave.

[Saibot]

Originally posted by Miraglyth:

Originally posted by WolfEisberg:

I'm explaining

For the third time, the only explanation I (and evidently several others) care for is why there's no option to say "I never want an Epic Games account or for unwanted software (that other EOS-using games have never needed) to be installed on my system".

If you can't answer that, you're welcome to leave.

Ignore him like everyone else. It is not worth your time or your sanity. People tend to avoid him, even talk around him, since they know he's not worth it.
He'll obviously refuse to confess anything, will continue to go all out on epic because epig good, and has no interest of engaging in a meaningful discussion; otherwise, he would admit a lot of things, which he won't. He'll twist anything to make it look like: "EPIG GOOD BECAUSE COPPA LOL."
I've never seen somebody squander their time as much as he is.

NOBODY should be forced to use EGS no matter what and he won't properly answer.

[Major Gnuisance]

Originally posted by Saibot:

Originally posted by Miraglyth:

For the third time, the only explanation I (and evidently several others) care for is why there's no option to say "I never want an Epic Games account or for unwanted software (that other EOS-using games have never needed) to be installed on my system".

If you can't answer that, you're welcome to leave.

Ignore him like everyone else. It is not worth your time or your sanity. People tend to avoid him, even talk around him, since they know he's not worth it.
He'll obviously refuse to confess anything, will continue to go all out on epic because epig good, and has no interest of engaging in a meaningful discussion; otherwise, he would admit a lot of things, which he won't. He'll twist anything to make it look like: "EPIG GOOD."
I've never seen somebody squander their time as much as he is.

NOBODY should be forced to use EGS no matter what and he won't properly answer.

WolfEisberg's explanation so far seems plausible and I've seen no obvious indication of bad faith, yet. I'd love to see it explained in further detail with credible sources, however.

I also noted that none of what was said actually excuses SEGA's decision to go with EOS or devalues people's objections to its use or its terrible UX implementation.

I'm happy to get insight into what might've led SEGA to do us dirty like this, however unjustified I may consider their reasoning to be.

[WolfEisberg]

Originally posted by Miraglyth:

Originally posted by WolfEisberg:

I'm explaining

For the third time, the only explanation I (and evidently several others) care for is why there's no option to say "I never want an Epic Games account or for unwanted software (that other EOS-using games have never needed) to be installed on my system".

If you can't answer that, you're welcome to leave.

Providing information that is relevant is a good thing to do.

[Miraglyth]

Originally posted by Major Gnuisance:

I also noted that none of what was said actually excuses SEGA's decision to go with EOS or devalues people's objections to its use or its terrible UX implementation.

Yeah. Eisberg won't frame it as an excuse because in their eyes Epic is some fantastic force for good, even when it's being forcibly installed on the machines of users that want nothing to do with it. What's to excuse, right?

Originally posted by WolfEisberg:

Originally posted by Miraglyth:

For the third time, the only explanation I (and evidently several others) care for is why there's no option to say "I never want an Epic Games account or for unwanted software (that other EOS-using games have never needed) to be installed on my system".

If you can't answer that, you're welcome to leave.

Providing information that is relevant is a good thing to do.

So by your own description, you're not doing good.

Because I just asked you point-blank for information and you're not providing it.

Originally posted by Major Gnuisance:

I'm happy to get insight into what might've led SEGA to do us dirty like this, however unjustified I may consider their reasoning to be.

Honestly I'm less interested in excuses or insights, I just want the problems to be fixed.

Give us the ability to say "Don't ask me again", give us some belief that Denuvo will be removed (Capcom can do it, why can't Sega?), and fix whatever mess the Comic Skins Pack is, and I'll be happy.

That's seriously all legitimate consumers want - stop screwing us around, and we'll buy your game. Or not refund it if we already had bought it.

It's not that hard.

[🍃🪻🪷Sylvie🩵🍸🍵]

Somehow, I still didn't receive an email to redeem modern Amy Rose skin outfit.

[GrimAtrament]

Why do people keep using that stupid chat ai?