I’m conflicted about buying this game

[Boomie]

I’m not sure if I should keep it. People tell me it’s one of the best games ever made, but at the same time, I heard about some of the developers getting completely screwed over and losing their jobs. Should I refund it?

[skullymex]

I don't know the developers personally but this game has so much heart poured into it, I think it would mean more to them that people play it, regardless of what happened.
So if you have no other means of aquiring it -wink wink-, don't worry about it too much.

[Fresh New Information]

It's such a bad argument to boycott or pirate this game because of the inner workings of a company so few people are involved in. It's like saying you shouldn't use Windows because it sucks working at Microsoft. People get screwed over all the time but that doesn't mean you can't enjoy their work. It's better enjoyed than not.

[Boomie]

Originally posted by Fresh New Information:

It's such a bad argument to boycott or pirate this game because of the inner workings of a company so few people are involved in. It's like saying you shouldn't use Windows because it sucks working at Microsoft. People get screwed over all the time but that doesn't mean you can't enjoy their work. It's better enjoyed than not.

Yeah but the folks that currently own the IP obtained it through fraud. At least that’s how the story goes. It feels like I’m potentially funding criminals.

[pickle]

either way i think 5 hours is over the limit for refunds (i know steam sometimes makes exceptions though) so you might as well enjoy it

[Boomie]

Originally posted by pickle:

either way i think 5 hours is over the limit for refunds (i know steam sometimes makes exceptions though) so you might as well enjoy it

Yeah I decided to start playing.

[River]

Yes, the company that currently owns the IP stole it from the original creators by muscling them out of the company they created. The Disco Elysium writing, setting, story, and all characters were based on the tabletop RPGs that the original creators had been playing for the last two decades. About two years ago, they lost all rights to the writing, setting, story, and all characters to the current owners of the IP. Due to this, they can not use any part of the game or anything with a connection to it in either their personal or professional endeavors, including playing the personal tabletop RPG that all of this came from.

This is about the worst possible thing I could imagine happening to a creative group. Currently, the original creators are encouraging everyone that has an interest in the game to play a friend's copy, and to not buy it for any reason. I can't fault anyone who doesn't know this for buying the game, but I personally couldn't fund it once I found this out. The original creators don't currently have any way to send them money that I'm aware of, since they're hoping to eventually gain back the IP as a result of the ongoing court case regarding all this.

[Centipede]

https://www.gamesindustry.biz/disco-elysium-studio-zaum-confirms-former-employees-were-fired-for-misconduct

[vermis]

this version of the game is HEAVILY (!) censored. do not play or buy it. only good musical track music: removed. small amount of lady skin showed: removed. heavily sexual lady talk: removed. strong white male: changed to alcoholic. non-white co worker: unchanged. this is another exaple of WOKE censorship. AVOID

[Rohaq]

lmao ok

[LemonRush7777]

You could always buy it used on a console of your choice. You get to play it legally without funding the publisher.

[DMN2]

Originally posted by Fresh New Information:

It's such a bad argument to boycott or pirate this game because of the inner workings of a company so few people are involved in. It's like saying you shouldn't use Windows because it sucks working at Microsoft. People get screwed over all the time but that doesn't mean you can't enjoy their work. It's better enjoyed than not.

I wholeheartedly disagree with your take on boycotting. money is speech. not buying something is an exercise of free speech. specifically in the case of this game, i do not think a single developer who worked on it would be opposed to anyone acquiring through *unofficial* means. ESPECIALLY considering the ♥♥♥♥ that went down behind the scenes. ultimately, its your money. its your speech. buy it, dont buy it, who cares. morally speaking? youre in the clear to get a drm free version of this one if you so choose.

[DMN2]

Originally posted by video game hero:

this version of the game is HEAVILY (!) censored. do not play or buy it. only good musical track music: removed. small amount of lady skin showed: removed. heavily sexual lady talk: removed. strong white male: changed to alcoholic. non-white co worker: unchanged. this is another exaple of WOKE censorship. AVOID

youre in the forums of a radical leftist game talking about woke lmao are you lost? are you okay? what happened?

[Fresh New Information]

Originally posted by Boomie:

Originally posted by Fresh New Information:

It's such a bad argument to boycott or pirate this game because of the inner workings of a company so few people are involved in. It's like saying you shouldn't use Windows because it sucks working at Microsoft. People get screwed over all the time but that doesn't mean you can't enjoy their work. It's better enjoyed than not.

Yeah but the folks that currently own the IP obtained it through fraud. At least that’s how the story goes. It feels like I’m potentially funding criminals.

Read it all for yourself and stop paying attention to heresay on the internet. Most of the people suggesting to boycott or pirate won't even cite their sources and make claims about the creators saying things that don't seem to be factual.

No matter what we are all connected to the awful people in this world. My point is that we are quite far removed from where this money is going, but that shouldn't stop you from playing the game. Acquire it however you want, but keep in mind the price is not going solely to the awful people involved. Some of it goes to Steam or GOG or whatever other distribution service you choose, some of it goes to the people who clean ZA/UMs offices, there's a lot more people involved besides the main shareholders.

[DestroidDubstep]

I was aware of this scandal before buying this game. I bought it regardless - at a discount, too. I don't regret it one bit. But yeah, like Fresh New Information (Steam user) said, the money goes to many people, not just the bid dogs.

But you do you, man. This title is a masterpiece for the simple fact it got people into reading without realising it.

[Babbles]

Originally posted by DMN2:

Originally posted by video game hero:

this version of the game is HEAVILY (!) censored. do not play or buy it. only good musical track music: removed. small amount of lady skin showed: removed. heavily sexual lady talk: removed. strong white male: changed to alcoholic. non-white co worker: unchanged. this is another exaple of WOKE censorship. AVOID

youre in the forums of a radical leftist game talking about woke lmao are you lost? are you okay? what happened?

They have 213 hours in Stardew Valley - there is no hope for them ...