A German news outlet puts a false spin on DU's condition

[ELX987]

https://www.buffed.de/Dual-Universe-Spiel-57410/Specials/6-Monate-Beta-1366842/

 

^^ source article

 

Buffed.de, mostly known for WOW articles, has written a few pieces on DU before, and have been mostly positive. However, I and a few friends saw a part in a translated version of this article that stated something that could bring a set of attention to DU that is not needed at this time, that is until NQ fix their game.

 

1st section: "the world comes alive":

 

"Although the rush was already high at the beginning of the beta phase, more and more players were added over time and slowly but surely filled the world of Dual Universe. That had several positive effects on the game. For one thing, the world feels much more alive now. We no longer only encounter strange players in the central marketplaces of Alioth, the largest of the planets, but everywhere in the universe. Even the tiny moons of smaller planets on the edge of the solar system are now well populated."

 

keep in mind this was written on 02/13/2021, and right now that 3rd sentence cannot be any more wrong, alioth is a ghost town, madis and thades are abandoned, and any other planet besides maybe ion and lacobus have basically no inhabitants. That is all because of .23 and the major screw up NQ had. i might be blowing it out of proportion, but you get the jist'.

 

2nd section: "Large organizations have grown":

 

"But it's not just the individual players that make the world come alive. Giant organizations have been set up and grown over the months. Huge factories that produce spaceships on an assembly line and are operated by dozens of players are not uncommon. Huge freight transporters fly from moon to moon with a crew of several men, buy cheap resources there and deliver them to the many thousands of players who have established their home on Alioth. There is organized trade, a flourishing industry, and the first political intrigues between the largest of the organizations."

 

"giant organizations"... what, like 100-200 active players making up 5 different major orgs? compared to the 30K ish+ we had since launch in total? (in reference to sanc moon tiles), if you go to any market in the game, even the district markets on alioth, they are all dead, no one visits them anymore.

 

3rd section: "Schematics ensure more trade"

 

"The schematics in particular are responsible for the flourishing of trade. In the alpha and at the beginning of the beta, everyone was still able to produce everything, provided they had the resources and had the appropriate industrial equipment built beforehand, is no longer possible. More complex modules, which you cannot manufacture in your personal nanocrafter, but only in industrial plants, now require a so-called schematic. This is practically a set of instructions that you can use to explain to your industrial plant which module is manufactured and how. Without a schematic, even the most sophisticated production line is just a pile of scrap metal. You can get the schematics on the marketplaces for a chunk of the in-game currency Quantas. The more complex the module, the more expensive the schematic. You also need a separate schematic for each system. Anyone who wants to manufacture silicon from quartz in ten melting systems not only needs ten systems, but also ten schematics - which can quickly turn into money in large factories."

 

Excuse me, what? Anyone who has played the game most likely quit over schematics, or permanent destruction. why? schematics are 1. expensive, 2. tedious to setup, and 3. has almost entirely killed production of any goods not tier one. when schematics came out, a 7m item (anti-gravity generator S) had a schematic required to build it worth hundreds of millions, now that schematic is worth 76m as of the time of writing this, 10x the items worth is fair, ok, but the way they implemented them was ridiculous. 

 

you can read more on the article and see for yourself, but here is something i noticed, none of that was labeled as opinion...

 

i have the feeling this was a commissioned article by NQ to Buffed.de, if it was, I read someone say that its illegal by German law to publish paid pieces, however i may be incorrect. (correction, if the article is noty labeled as a sponsored article and its found out to be then it is illegal, no where on the article does it mention sponsorship)

 

regardless of the legality, NQ needs to come clean because if this was paid that is scummy, make me feel like this game was a cash grab.

NQ I'm begging you, come clean and stop hiding that your game is dying, you still have a chance to dig out of the hole you made, please!

[Distinct Mint]

Ok, but really, why do you really care? This seems to be more bashing just for the sake of it - trying to find an "issue" somewhere to latch on to and have a dig.

 

Sometimes its better just to shrug, get on with your life, and be at peace.

[blazemonger]

 

 

There have been several rather positive publications around DU from sources I'd really expect to show amore realistic view of the state of the game. I'd agree that the sense this is all paid advertising more than truthful reviews is not misplaced IMO.

 

Another good example was a YT post by Bluedrake42 recently where I listened with amazement on what he was describing as it was nothing like what DU is currently and this guy is generally very realistic on his videos. Oddly he used only old, pre beta footage so I can only assume he never really played the game to create footage post beta.

 

 

Frankly, I would not be surprised at all if NQ is pulling some strings to try and paint a better picture for the game than where it actually is.. I also expect we will start seeing paid actors in game not too long from now, (game)designers NQ does/will pay to build "player made cities and communities" ..

[SirJohn85]

Quote

In conclusion, it can be said that Novaquark is on the right track and has understood in broad terms what the players want.

This article is gold. Maybe Mr. Sattler should take a look at the NQs forums before he writes such nonsense.

 

7 minutes ago, blazemonger said:

 

 

There have been several rather positive publications around DU from sources I'd really expect to show amore realistic view of the state of the game. I'd agree that the sense this is all paid advertising more than truthful reviews is not misplaced IMO.

 

Another good example was a YT post by Bluedrake42 recently where I listened with amazement on what he was describing as it was nothing like what DU is currently and this guy is generally very realistic on his videos. Oddly he used only old, pre beta footage so I can only assume he never really played the game to create footage post beta.

 

 

Frankly, I would not be surprised at all if NQ is pulling some strings to try and paint a better picture for the game that where it is.. I also expect we will start seeing paid actors in game not too long from now, (game)designers NQ will pay to build "player made cities and communities" ..

 

Thanks for the reminder, blazemonger.

 

I was sceptical about this video when I saw who it was from and that it was labelled "contains paid advertising".

 

"Yeah, hold on... " is what someone who has been around for a long time will think. "I know Bluedrake42! That was the guy who made those videos and doubted DU and got into a mud fight with NQ!" It's nice that he now profit from finding good words for the game. We live in a topsy-turvy world.

 

[GraXXoR]

 

33 minutes ago, Distinct Mint said:

Ok, but really, why do you really care? This seems to be more bashing just for the sake of it - trying to find an "issue" somewhere to latch on to and have a dig.

 

Sometimes its better just to shrug, get on with your life, and be at peace.

 

The article is misleading at best, outright paid-for-by-NQ propaganda at worst. Shit like this need to be called out and stamped on with prejudice if you care at all about the issues being dealt with in the "news" article.

So many problems in the last four of five years have been caused directly because of misinformation and complete bollocks being passed as facts. Spurious claims about things which are not true and things that did not actually happen passed as having actually happened have made the news these last few years seem like a bit of a sad joke and it is becoming accepted by certain cap-wearers as truth.

I made another post a few days ago where someone on the forums was basically using hyperbole and claimed that DU actually BRICKED his computer... Bricked means damaged beyond the ability of the end user to repair (requiring an RMA)... Stuff like this spreads in today's zero-neurons-fired post-truth world, because people are just happy to sit back, shrug and get on with their life... Until a few months/years down the line when the things they love and like are gone and they themselves become the target of the hyperbole...

Truth is the only thing of universal value to all humans and alternative facts are just lies dressed up in a long red tie.

Calling this out is the right thing to do. 

 

 

Quote

Frankly, I would not be surprised at all if NQ is pulling some strings to try and paint a better picture for the game that where it is.. I also expect we will start seeing paid actors in game not too long from now, (game)designers NQ will pay to build "player made cities and communities" ..

 

I wouldn't be against that if it was done properly... This is called curated content and can be a valuable addition... but I suppose, morally, it should be pointed out for being sponsored content...

[le_souriceau]

Yep, very questionable (to say it politely). May be this is just "vision" again, like with fantasy-filled trailers before.

 

@NQ-Nyzaltar, @NQ-Naunet, may we kindly ask you to comment on this sort of article in context of wider PR strategy for the game? 

 

 

[sHuRuLuNi]

56 minutes ago, blazemonger said:

 

 

There have been several rather positive publications around DU from sources I'd really expect to show amore realistic view of the state of the game. I'd agree that the sense this is all paid advertising more than truthful reviews is not misplaced IMO.

 

Another good example was a YT post by Bluedrake42 recently where I listened with amazement on what he was describing as it was nothing like what DU is currently and this guy is generally very realistic on his videos. Oddly he used only old, pre beta footage so I can only assume he never really played the game to create footage post beta.

 

 

Frankly, I would not be surprised at all if NQ is pulling some strings to try and paint a better picture for the game than where it actually is.. I also expect we will start seeing paid actors in game not too long from now, (game)designers NQ does/will pay to build "player made cities and communities" ..

 

 

I commented on Bludrakes Video, but my comment kept getting deleted ... because I pointed out that NQ had also offered me a partnership, but I refused, because as I wrote in the comment, "then I would have to post videos like this one which reads more like a press release from the developer" ... and remarked that if they want a politically incorrect review which is actually objective they should check my review

Anyway, I don't know if my comment is still there.

But his video was absolutely embarrassing.

On the other hand - this might be the reason why he has thousands and thousands of subscribers and much more revenue, while I am a poor YT bastard ...

[blazemonger]

Well.. apparently, the "marketing guy" over at NQ Montreal has quite the history himself with YT as in having large subscriber counts but so-so views on his videos..

There's a bit too much showing up in quick succession to be a coincidence with regards to marking spin and bordering on misrepresenting the state of the game.

[le_souriceau]

28 minutes ago, blazemonger said:

Well.. apparently, the "marketing guy" over at NQ Montreal has quite the history himself with YT as in having large subscriber counts but so-so views on his videos..

Its actualy not first time DU marketing likely cheating.

Initialy I noticed this during Alpha with Twitter (and tried make some noise), yet this was quickly dusted under carpet.

 

Remember another false advert trailer "This is Dual Universe" (no its not) released on 29 april 2020? One week before it, DU Twitter (for most part dead thing as you can see) was obviously pumped up with some non-organic paid followers.

 

 

 

Currently, DU Twitter (being still dead and badly/non creativly managed) loosing subs organicly:

https://socialblade.com/twitter/user/dualuniverse/monthly

 

But, if pattern still here, we can even accuratly predict new trailers/big news/things to be released week or so before, when some magical pumping occurs again.

 

Question is if this is known to JC, or this more of spec ops to give boss nicer reports.

[Filokwarq]

I am in line with most of whats being said in here so far, but getting a boost on Subs before the Release to me sounds more like a natural thing. It was the time the magazines, just like the one we talk about in this thread, had Dual Universe in the news and in Articles, and that leads to follower who want to stay informed if they are interested in the game. I was one of them, so to say.

 

DU was already "sorted out" and became "something maybe interesting" that time for me, because of some things written on the DU-Homepage I thought will be different (and it turns out it will, but thats another story).

 

If there are 400k jumping into beta, I would expect a huge raise in followers on Twitter etc. upfront. If those numbers are correct, which I dont know, havent played the first 4 weeks of alphabeta

[blazemonger]

11 minutes ago, Filokwarq2 said:

If there are 400k jumping into beta, I would expect a huge raise in followers on Twitter etc. upfront. If those numbers are correct, which I dont know, havent played the first 4 weeks of alphabeta

 

I would guestimate, based on the claimed tiles on Sanctuary in relation to existing backers and their beta key holders being probably in the 30K-ish, that at best the actual  sub count for DE never peaked above 10K and is currently well below 5K

[le_souriceau]

17 minutes ago, Filokwarq2 said:

I am in line with most of whats being said in here so far, but getting a boost on Subs before the Release to me sounds more like a natural thing.

This is thing that people were messing all over again over this issue. THIS IS NOT RELEASE SPIKE, this is april trailer, that yes, it was featured later in press, but in day of release or near it. So organicly people had no reason to follow DU Twitter in rows 10 days before anyone in wider world knew.

[Filokwarq]

34 minutes ago, le_souriceau said:

This is thing that people were messing all over again over this issue. THIS IS NOT RELEASE SPIKE, this is april trailer, that yes, it was featured later in press, but in day of release or near it. So organicly people had no reason to follow DU Twitter in rows 10 days before anyone in wider world knew.

Ah, my bad. Thought we talk about Release-Time. We got two Media-Echoes in Germany, the PvP-Trrailer and the Release. I myself ignored the PvP-Trailer, but the Beta got some good coverage, impossible to escape if you have a browser

[Filokwarq]

38 minutes ago, blazemonger said:

 

I would guestimate, based on the claimed tiles on Sanctuary in relation to existing backers and their beta key holders being probably in the 30K-ish, that at best the actual  sub count for DE never peaked above 10K and is currently well below 5K

Worldwide. Someone said it was 400k-ish. Dont know the source of that number. 400k after Beta-Release, wasnt that in an interview? However, If it was beta, I would expect that. I would not count Sanctuary-Tiles, cause many had problems placing them for some weeks after beta started.

[le_souriceau]

3 minutes ago, Filokwarq2 said:

Worldwide. Someone said it was 400k-ish. 

Info source from some dodgy site, that tracks MMO populations (by unknown means) and it had estimate of 400 k (that some people were not hesitant to spread on Discord and beyond).

 

Obviously this is not true, because sanctuary claims stuck somewhere between 35 and 40 k that is not unuqie players (because of alts). And by overall activity, game feels like just several thousands players playing activly right now.

[Moosegun]

Brilliant, you lot are not only game development specialist but also closet digital marketing experts too.  The speculation in this thread is even more laughable than normal.

[Filokwarq]

13 minutes ago, Moosegun said:

Brilliant, you lot are not only game development specialist but also closet digital marketing experts too.  The speculation in this thread is even more laughable than normal.

Ive heard that only closet digital marketing experts are able to identify closet digital marketing experts. Being such an eexpert, can you explain to me what a closet digital marketing expert usually does?

 

You dont know the background of people in here. Dont put your meassurement of limited insight onto other peoples comment, especially if you are just trolling instead of adding anything into the discussion.

[Filokwarq]

18 minutes ago, le_souriceau said:

Info source from some dodgy site, that tracks MMO populations (by unknown means) and it had estimate of 400 k (that some people were not hesitant to spread on Discord and beyond).

 

Obviously this is not true, because sanctuary claims stuck somewhere between 35 and 40 k that is not unuqie players (because of alts). And by overall activity, game feels like just several thousands players playing activly right now.

I know that site. But I was also part of an interview with JC and it was at least not corrected by JC, but I dont find the Interview, darn.... However, not important for this one, its obvious, the difference on players you see in the game before they deactivatet the keys and the patch.

[Moosegun]

15 minutes ago, Filokwarq2 said:

Ive heard that only closet digital marketing experts are able to identify closet digital marketing experts. Being such an eexpert, can you explain to me what a closet digital marketing expert usually does?

 

You dont know the background of people in here. Dont put your meassurement of limited insight onto other peoples comment, especially if you are just trolling instead of adding anything into the discussion.

Having discussed several topics with the majority of these posters over several years, I know a far bit the position of those I am addressing.  I have also said on several occasion my main expertise is indeed digital marketing.  Hence, I feel I have enough knowledge to call out something which is pure speculation. As usual with these posters....... negative speculation.

[blazemonger]

3 hours ago, blazemonger said:

Well.. apparently, the "marketing guy" over at NQ Montreal has quite the history himself with YT as in having large subscriber counts but so-so views on his videos..

 

Since I heard about his I did a bit of digging and this is the content made by the "social Media Director" NQ employs .. 

[Filokwarq]

Just now, Moosegun said:

Having discussed several topics with the majority of these posters over several years, I know a far bit the position of those I am addressing.  I have also said on several occasion my main expertise is indeed digital marketing.  Hence, I feel I have enough knowledge to call out something which is pure speculation. As usual with these posters....... negative speculation.

Way more flesh for a discussion. I am new into this "discussion", but for me this is more about "how can a magazine come to such a conclusion?". If it would be Marketing from NQ, it should have a tag attached that it is sponsored or simply advertising, which it hasnt. For me, this is bad Journalism, and it hurts the magazine as well as the game by setting wrong expectations in its current state.

 

So far, not just the people in here, also those who never visit the forums, they all end up with the exact same quotes of the article as "thats not true".

 

I dont have to be a marketing expert to look at things from a customers perspective. And in this case, it smells, I dont know on which side, but it smells

[sHuRuLuNi]

1 minute ago, Filokwarq2 said:

Way more flesh for a discussion. I am new into this "discussion", but for me this is more about "how can a magazine come to such a conclusion?". If it would be Marketing from NQ, it should have a tag attached that it is sponsored or simply advertising, which it hasnt. For me, this is bad Journalism, and it hurts the magazine as well as the game by setting wrong expectations in its current state.

 

So far, not just the people in here, also those who never visit the forums, they all end up with the exact same quotes of the article as "thats not true".

 

I dont have to be a marketing expert to look at things from a customers perspective. And in this case, it smells, I dont know on which side, but it smells

 

The comments on that article are killing it ?

 

 

 

[Filokwarq]

1 hour ago, blazemonger said:

 

Since I heard about his I did a bit of digging and REMOVED is the content made by the "social Media Director" NQ REMOVED .. 

I dont see what value bashing people adds to the dicussion.....

[sHuRuLuNi]

1 hour ago, blazemonger said:

 

Since I heard about his I did a bit of digging and REMOVED is the content made by the "social Media Director" NQ REMOVED .. 

 

Of course milking the minecraft hype ... 

 

[blazemonger]

3 minutes ago, Filokwarq2 said:

I dont see what value bashing people adds to the dicussion.....

 

The guy can do what he likes and how he likes. That NQ puts him in charge of social media though, is a concern to me while it aligns nicely with the topic at hand as it shows willingness to buy influencers/positive marketing.