Wolfire Throws a Lifeline to Counterfeit Lugaru Customers

Andy Chalk

One Flag, One Fleet, One Cat
Nov 12, 2002
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Wolfire Throws a Lifeline to Counterfeit Lugaru Customers


The counterfeit version of Lugaru [http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/lugaru-hd/id413694169?mt=12] that turned up on the App Store earlier this month has finally been removed and Wolfire, the indie studio behind the original game, is taking extraordinary steps to compensate everyone who bought it.

In early February we heard about a Humble Indie Bundle [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/107512-Apple-Authorizes-Counterfeit-Version-of-Wolfires-Lugaru].

Wolfire naturally disputed that point but Apple had already approved the game and let it stay on the store for over a week, where it climbed to number 60 on the games chart and presumably cost Wolfire some sales. It was finally removed a couple of days ago; Alex Matlin of iCoder told Wolfire Games Blog [http://kotaku.com/#!5756116/and-then-there-was-only-one-fighting-rabbit-game-on-apples-mac-store] that the studio still hadn't heard a peep from Apple and wasn't sure what had actually happened.

Regardless of the specifics, Wolfire is handling the situation with what can only be described as an extreme amount of class. "We don't think that the customers should be punished for buying the fake version -- they probably just assumed that all the games in the App Store are legitimate. We would have assumed the same thing until last week!" Rosen wrote. "If you accidentally purchased the fake Lugaru, you can forward your receipt to [email protected] and we will give you an authentic version of Lugaru HD, as well as a bonus Steam key for your trouble."

Is that awesome or what? Wolfire is going way above and beyond the call of duty and I think it deserves some major credit for its crazy customer service. Well played, gentlemen. Well played indeed.

via: GamePolitics [http://gamepolitics.com/2011/02/11/039counterfeit039-lugaru-game-cut-app-store]


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D_987

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Jun 15, 2008
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They deserve credit for their customer service yes, but not for charging $9.99 for Lugaru HD...the game is worth about half that at the most. Though what are the differences between the two versions, I'm pretty sure I read the "fake" version had some small modifications to help the game run better - has this "legitimate" version also been edited?
 

theriddlen

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Apr 6, 2010
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That's the Valve attitude! Gabe would be proud of you... if you brought him some chicken wings.
 

Onyx Oblivion

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Sep 9, 2008
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That's one of the games from the bundles I never got around to installing/playing.

Glad to see they're staying classy about it. Not that there was really any other route to take.
 

Bloodstain

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Jun 20, 2009
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Now that's old school. Reminds me of back when companies tried to care for their customers and build trust.
Well, well done, everybody. I'm proud of you. That kind of bebaviour is what makes the world a better place.
 

stranamente

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Jun 13, 2009
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D_987 said:
They deserve credit for their customer service yes, but not for charging $9.99 for Lugaru HD...the game is worth about half that at the most. Though what are the differences between the two versions, I'm pretty sure I read the "fake" version had some small modifications to help the game run better - has this "legitimate" version also been edited?
So if it costs too much you're allowed to pirate it?
Since they have no pubblisher, and have to depend on the sells of their products to go on, they have to fix the price at that bar.
You may dislike the price, but that's their choice.
And no modification can justify selling their game with almost the same name. Really.
 

Bobzer77

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May 14, 2008
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D_987 said:
They deserve credit for their customer service yes, but not for charging $9.99 for Lugaru HD...the game is worth about half that at the most. Though what are the differences between the two versions, I'm pretty sure I read the "fake" version had some small modifications to help the game run better - has this "legitimate" version also been edited?
If you are putting up an illegit version I don't think you are beyond lying about features to get a few extra sales, also imo it is definitely worth 10 dollars.
 

Bloodstain

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Onyx Oblivion said:
Glad to see they're staying classy about it. Not that there was really any other route to take.
Well, there is the "REMOVE THE GAME. Refunds? Hahahahaha, you so funny. Suck it." way.
 

Ruairi iliffe

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Sep 13, 2010
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D_987 said:
They deserve credit for their customer service yes, but not for charging $9.99 for Lugaru HD...the game is worth about half that at the most. Though what are the differences between the two versions, I'm pretty sure I read the "fake" version had some small modifications to help the game run better - has this "legitimate" version also been edited?
Take it you might be a bit sore over missing the Humble Indie Bumble then?

And personally im on the dole but £5/$9 quid isnt that far out of the price i'd assume for a game like it.

From Reading a couple of posts on the Wolfire Forums, seems it didnt have much at all changed was almost a complete rip of the orginal.
 

Andy Chalk

One Flag, One Fleet, One Cat
Nov 12, 2002
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D_987 said:
They deserve credit for their customer service yes, but not for charging $9.99 for Lugaru HD...the game is worth about half that at the most. Though what are the differences between the two versions, I'm pretty sure I read the "fake" version had some small modifications to help the game run better - has this "legitimate" version also been edited?
Wow, who died and made you the arbiter of what games are worth?
 

Danpascooch

Zombie Specialist
Apr 16, 2009
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So let me get this straight, some asshole steals his code, sells it for cheaper and costs Wolfire a shitload of sales.

So Wolfire's response is to offer everyone who bought the stolen version a real copy for free?

Holy shit, this is insane, I might buy a copy just to support his behavior.
 

Danpascooch

Zombie Specialist
Apr 16, 2009
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D_987 said:
They deserve credit for their customer service yes, but not for charging $9.99 for Lugaru HD...the game is worth about half that at the most. Though what are the differences between the two versions, I'm pretty sure I read the "fake" version had some small modifications to help the game run better - has this "legitimate" version also been edited?

Are you serious?

First of all, they should be allowed to charge what they want, let the market decide if it's worth it.

Secondly, your use of the quotation marks around the words "legitimate" and "fake" makes it seem like you think the fake version is legitimate because of the price that you consider fair and the "small modifications"

Let me see if I can come up for an analogy for how crazy I think that is.

All right, I got one.

Let's say your car was worth $30,000.

I stole it and added a bitchin' spoiler (small modification) and then sold the STOLEN car for $5000.

It's basically the same scenario, guy steals something, adds a tiny enhancement to it and sells it for cheaper, does it still warrant the arrogant air-quotes around the word fake?



Then, in ADDITION to all the shit this caused Wolfire, he is giving everyone who bought the fake copy that hurt his sales (for which he was totally not responsible for and the real victim of) a real copy for free, something that doesn't benefit him at all.

And all you do is post about how he was charging too much and question the terms "fake" and "legitamate"?

that's shameful dude.
 

Danpascooch

Zombie Specialist
Apr 16, 2009
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Double post

(the IT crew really needs to look into this, I press the post button and the post doesn't show up in the thread, I refresh the page FIVE EFFING TIMES and it STILL doesn't show up. I try to post it again, and BAM instantaneously the original shows up along with the new one, as if the forums are fucking trolling me)
 

Poopie McGhee

Über Sparrow Kicker
Aug 26, 2009
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I like this company. I have bought both indie bundles, and I love them for those bundles. This just makes them more awesome.
 

RvLeshrac

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Oct 2, 2008
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danpascooch said:
So let me get this straight, some asshole steals his code, sells it for cheaper and costs Wolfire a shitload of sales.

So Wolfire's response is to offer everyone who bought the stolen version a real copy for free?

Holy shit, this is insane, I might buy a copy just to support his behavior.
No, the code wasn't stolen. The code was given away for free. The *assets* were stolen (art, sound, music, text).

If they'd released a game exactly like Lugaru, but with different characters and audio, it would be a legal move, if dickish.
 

KaosuHamoni

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Apr 7, 2010
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Jesus-motherfucking-Christ, Wolfire!

That's a developer with class right there. Makes me feel good about already owning the Steam version of Lugaru HD, if only because I gave these guys some money.
 

ResonanceSD

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Dec 14, 2009
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That's some really smart situation-handling from Wolfire! Props!