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itch.io Community » itch.io » Questions & Support

Rating a game without playing

A topic by ArenaDev created Mar 27, 2020 Views: 1,278 Replies: 12
Viewing posts 1 to 4
ArenaDev4 years ago

I just set up a paid game and I still have 0 sales, but someone left me a 1 star rating with this message without even playing the game:

"Don't know how to make a game? Want to do something that everyone's done before? Make it a knock-off candy crush game! Generic, basic game with nothing to offer what so ever. It's got the model of a free game, but the cost of a mobile app."

The game is a novel like tetris attack, also furry related. The only ressemblance to candy crush is that it's a puzzle, this person without playing, would obviously not know, but felt like he should say something not only about the game, but also about my team. 

Anyway, you can leave ratings without playing a game? Like, you're in the mood to being a dick and there is no consequences?  I can't even reply his rating? 


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TheSneaK4 years ago

It almost sounds like a bot did it :/

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ArenaDev4 years ago

The guy's account is legit, he has lots of other comments.

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Imitate Fire4 years ago(+1)

I don't think Itch really takes ratings into consideration. You can't even see the games actual rating. I think it's only used to help itch choose what makes it to the homepage. So unless you think your game is homepage worthy, don't worry about ratings

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ArenaDev4 years ago

I'm not worried about the rating in itself, but with this breach. I've seen rating on other people's games so I do think it's taken in consideration somehow and letting people rate games they didn't buy or played is a huge exploit for idiots like this one.  

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Imitate Fire4 years ago (1 edit)

You are right, I didnt notice but ratings are shown in the more information dropdown. But I hate Steam how you have to own the game on steam in order to even comment or post on the game forum

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ArenaDev4 years ago(+1)

I think that as long as the developer has at least the right to reply back or report such cases, it shouldn't be a problem. Or something to disencourage someone to just go on a mass spree of 1 star reviewing soccer games just because he doesn't like soccer.

Well, anarchy is fine too, playstore is like this. I just wanted to know if that was really possible and if there was really no way to appeal against such cases.

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No Time To PlayModerator4 years ago

@Imitate Fire Um, yes, we do and you can. Look in the More Information box below the game description. It's just that a lonely 1-star rating isn't going to count much at all. The system is designed that way.

And yes, people can rate the game without playing it. How would you even check if they did play, or if they did more than start the game for that matter?

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ArenaDev4 years ago(+2)

If the game is paid and downladable only and you don't own it it's a sure thing you didn't play, for example.
Steam and IOS don't let people rate games they don't own. 

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No Time To PlayModerator4 years ago

Steam and iOS are also walled gardens with strict DRM where the games have to tightly integrated into the platform to be accepted at all. And someone could own a game from elsewhere, or have downloaded a free copy from a key or promo. There's still no way to know for sure.

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ArenaDev4 years ago (1 edit) (+4)

Seems like my question is answered. The answer is: "Yes, you can". You just have to agree with it to post your game here, like the playstore.  Still feels bitter not being abble to answer a review even when people bash you just by looking at your game's screenshots, because they feel like (just like the playstore).  

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evilsn4 years ago(+1)

I wish there was a way to go after the trolls who leave poor ratings on games they don't intend to play. But I guess it's probably better that we don't have the option to be vigilantes here on this website. With the current divisive vitriol boiling in the world these days, some sanity in the design of a website's user experience is a good thing, I'd say.

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No Time To PlayModerator4 years ago(+1)

We do in fact go after them. Just recently someone was barred from rating games after going on a one-star spree. Our admins can see when people do that, and take measures. But it's not a decision to be made lightly.

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