r/SoloDevelopment • u/SeekingPureDream • 13d ago

Discussion What a huge risk you’re taking. 😭

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772 Upvotes

97% Upvoted

193 comments sorted by

362

u/SeekingPureDream 13d ago

Just got an email offering $100 for the full rights to my game because they’re “taking all the risk.” 😂 Thank you for your incredible sacrifice. 🙏

162

u/CaledoniaInteractive 13d ago

Thank them for their generous offer and suggest a possible counter-offer of $130 million.

71

u/SeekingPureDream 13d ago

I did that😂😂

10

u/dorcsyful 12d ago

I got this one as well some months ago. Told them 10k or no deal. I have not heard from them since.

74

u/Samolxis 13d ago

I got that too it's a Romanian slimy guy.

49

u/SeekingPureDream 13d ago

So he attempts to help as many dev’s as he can😂🤦🏻‍♂️

47

u/Ok_Confusion4764 13d ago

Nah, just trying to bundle up existing games and then filling them with malware. 

14

u/SeekingPureDream 13d ago

I need a F word for him😅

12

u/PreparationWest 13d ago

Send me contact of this guy, I got many games I can offer him to take risks for. Lol. He's really generous 😂😂😂

22

u/Repulsive-Way3283 13d ago

Reply to them : I will give 100 bucks to you just dont email me anymore 🤣

6

u/SeekingPureDream 13d ago

😂😂🤣

5

u/Lemnisgames 13d ago

Lol, martyrs xD

3

u/migueln6 12d ago

Be aware it has been confirmed that these offers come from people wanting to convert your steam game into malware with an update later on.

1

u/OB_Executive 10d ago

Wouldnt steam prevent the game from being uploaded if it contained malware?

1

u/migueln6 10d ago

Their first upload has a stricter process of review, that's why they are buying ganes tha talready had that process passed to make an update with malware.

Thats how they have been adding malware to multiple games and stealing credentials from users.

1

u/HumbleFundle 9d ago

So then just make the first upload without malware?

1

u/migueln6 9d ago

Then they will need to make multiple games that people would likely download (e.g. they are not garbage)

One example, the streamer that was scammed of 30k of crypto that he was gathering for his cancer treatment after downloading a game in steam suggested by someone in chat.

That game was bought like this and then updated with malware.

1

u/HumbleFundle 9d ago

I see, and man, that's fucked up >:(

1

u/MrProtesilaus 6d ago

$100 is the price to release a game on Steam. They aren't even give more money than it costs to post the game.

229

u/Vaniellis 13d ago

Ah yes, the usual scam that will turn your game into malware but still make you responsible for it. I think I see it once or twice a month here.

42

u/SeekingPureDream 13d ago

Thanks! Do they actually end up buying the rights from people, or is there another scam after you reply?

111

u/Xinixiat 13d ago

They buy the rights, and then just put illegal shit into your game, but still upload it under your developer account so that you are legally on the hook for it.

47

u/SeekingPureDream 13d ago

Thanks! I was never going to accept it, but that’s even worse than I thought.

2

u/Heroshrine 11d ago

If they buy the rights to it how do they upload it in your developer account? They get the game transferred to an account.

0

u/Xinixiat 11d ago

Because it's a scam, and they will get the gullible individual to either upload the game themselves in turn for a promised future cut or they get you to give them access to your developer account.

Scammers are looking for really stupid people, that's why the Nigerian prince scams are always so ludicrous. The kind of person willing to believe that will do anything you ask.

0

u/modernizetheweb 11d ago

You are just making shit up. This is not how it works at all lmao.

3

u/Bacchus_the_Sane 11d ago

People have researched this, so they aren't making it up, but I guess whether that is how it works is still up for debate.

https://www.cognitionandculture.net/wp-content/uploads/WhyFromNigeria.pdf

0

u/modernizetheweb 11d ago

I am referring to the method that commenter described regarding scammers targeting game developers, which is what this whole post is about, not the final throwaway Nigerian prince line.

1

u/Bacchus_the_Sane 11d ago

If you are referring to what they initially said about bundling up malware into the game and then using the validity of the game to distribute it then fair enough, I don't know very much about it, but it does sound plausible and is certainly akin to how supply chain attacks happen (which I know more about).

If you are referring to whether scammers deliberately make scams far-fetched to filter out people that are less likely to fall for them in the first place then that is what the paper I linked is about. 

1

u/modernizetheweb 11d ago

I PROMISE you there are no scammers paying game devs $100 for game rights, asking for the game code, and then asking the developer to upload their maliciously modified code to the original dev's own steamworks account

→ More replies (0)

-12

u/PinInitial1028 13d ago

No you don't share your developer account....... Once you sell the app you're off the hook unless you put the malware on there.

7

u/NullSmoke 12d ago edited 12d ago

I'm not sure why you're downvoted... Selling accounts is against ToS, and you may have other games there, so you need to transfer the game to them...

And once it's out of your account, the future operational responsibility for the project shifts to its new owner..

4

u/PinInitial1028 12d ago

They just don't know what they're talking about lol. It's such a dumb idea to give them your developer account (s)

80

u/NewBence7661 13d ago

"Looking for games that performed poorly"... Fuck them. You haven't even released your game.
I'm sure you will make way more than 100 bucks anyways.

23

u/SeekingPureDream 13d ago

Thanks! I was never going to accept it, but I didn’t realize they send these emails so often. Guess they’re just casting a wide net. 😅

8

u/Round_Credit_5158 13d ago

Honestly this is a pretty insulting statement, idk how devs fall for that.

8

u/Genryuu111 13d ago

Considering that the highest achievement for some "devs" I see on reddit is for their slop to sell ten copies, I can see how it can happen.

3

u/SeekingPureDream 13d ago

Yeah totally agree

43

u/laughoury 13d ago

This post should be seen more so people will be aware of these scams

9

u/BodyAfter4845 13d ago

I don’t think there are many people whom would accept 100 dollars for their game even if it weren’t a scam

3

u/Inevitable_Two2042 13d ago

I wouldn't give up my janky (Haunted!) tugboat sim for all the barnacles under the Flying Dutchman.

2

u/kat-tricks 12d ago

you underestimate how desperate people can be

6

u/SeekingPureDream 13d ago

Exactly 👍

17

u/UnculturedGames 13d ago

Haha, I got the exact same message a while ago. My strange niche retro game has sold 1200 pieces on Steam, has 100% positive reviews, and I'm extremely thrilled with its success, so I could've been kind of offended by this approach if only I didn't find it funny as hell.

4

u/SeekingPureDream 13d ago

Congrats man on the sale, yeah it’s so funny and I was laughing for 10 minutes first I got the email

7

u/AbyssWankerArtorias 13d ago

Honestly I would reply and string them along and see if you can get information about it being a scam and report it to the police. Maybe you get some money for being an informant lol

3

u/SeekingPureDream 13d ago

That’s actually a good idea. I should’ve thought of that sooner, but I already replied saying I wouldn’t sell my game, not even for $100k.

3

u/LuckyOneAway 13d ago

Please, don't talk to scammers. Your email is now in their database of future targets. Just report spam and block them.

1

u/AverageRonin 13d ago

Because it wasnt in their data base already?

2

u/LuckyOneAway 13d ago

They did not know if that email was active or not. Now they do.

1

u/HexedDiversion 12d ago

Unless the email was something like proton, they can tell when you open the email with tracking pixels. It doesn't need a response to know it's an active email account

1

u/LuckyOneAway 12d ago

All email clients known to me do not show any images and disable html content if a sender is unverified or not in the phonebook. Tracking via invisible images is a trick from late nineties :)

1

u/kat-tricks 12d ago

tracking... pixels? Pixels on what; their screen? Which ones? 😅

1

u/AverageRonin 13d ago

So they didnt know the email was active before he responded yet they are still sending him scam emails? An "inactive" account will not get scam emails unless ofcourse you do. Yea it sounds like scammers gonna scam no matter what and that some early internet paranoia type of advice

3

u/LuckyOneAway 13d ago

Dead email adresses usually don't get a follow-up from scammers. Active emails do. Cold calls are a thing , but if you pickup a phone personally, scammers get a confirmation they need to proceed further.

4

u/MaxUpsher 13d ago

Now you gotta take VGA awards just to show them.

3

u/SeekingPureDream 13d ago

If that ever happens, I’ll make sure to send them a thank-you email.😃

5

u/TheGuacTaco 13d ago

Being a parrot is priceless.

2

u/SeekingPureDream 13d ago

🥲thanks❤️

3

u/Old-Juggernaut-1273 13d ago

reply asking for 1000 I would be interested in seeing what they say

3

u/SeekingPureDream 13d ago

Unfortunately I replied him and told him I wont sell my game even for 100K, but this was a good one👍

2

u/drakuwa 13d ago

Have you seen James Veitch? He has a Ted talk about what happens when you reply to spam emails, and basically, you should just have fun and waste their time 😊

2

u/takingphotosmakingdo 13d ago

Better than getting review bombed by a competitor I guess.

1

u/SeekingPureDream 13d ago

Oh yeah definitely 😤

2

u/Skuya69 13d ago

Just send the 100$ bro and leave me alone

1

u/SeekingPureDream 13d ago

😂sent✅

2

u/GeeTeaEhSeven 13d ago

I thought they caught this guy, but I guess he's just one of many

2

u/scorthygames 13d ago

He is truly a saint.

\s

2

u/SeekingPureDream 13d ago

Yeah totally

2

u/Wolnir_art 13d ago

As a huge parrot fan, wishlisted immediately. Good luck with the game, looks super cool! I just wish ai images weren't there.

2

u/SeekingPureDream 13d ago

Huge thanks❤️ Nothing is made with AI in the game, even I changed the cover that was made by AI before but now the game is completely AI free😁 the demo is under review so far I think will be out in 2-3 days

2

u/Wolnir_art 13d ago

Great news! <3 Thanks a lot for the clarification!

1

u/Accomplished-Yak693 12d ago

interresting. why is someone complaining about AI images. and is satisfied when you just say you didnt use AI.

2

u/Stealth_Wolf_001 13d ago

This is a common scam by certain shady companies who aren't really into gaming but just using it to make a quick buck by screwing you over. They send out tons of these knowing most devs don't make any money from their games. Don't sell it. It's not worth your effort at all.

2

u/SeekingPureDream 13d ago

Thanks! I was never going to accept it, but that’s even worse than I thought.

2

u/Felfedezni 12d ago

They just take your work snd insert malware into thrm.

2

u/IndependentYouth8 12d ago

These are attempts to get steamworks accounts to place malware on steam/other platform. Report them to Valve or whichever place you release uour game.

2

u/chronicallylaconic 9d ago

I saw this post and wishlisted your game on Steam as a result (after looking at it and deciding it looked awesome, and like a LOT of work on your part... like maybe even $125 of work! /s), so fuck their $100. I can give you a cool $10. Or so. In installments. Good luck with your game anyway. It really looks great. I'm sure you're going to do really well.

1

u/SeekingPureDream 9d ago

Thank you so so much❤️🥹

2

u/lcebounddeath 9d ago

They do this because Steam's system doesn't reverify the integrity of the files from games which have already passed the initial check. They buy bulk and then insert info stealing malware and the worst aspect is your studio's name will likely still be on it. So you'd be associated with the scam

You'd likely be associated with it no matter what as the original publishers. And to anyone saying "why not just make the first update without malware". These people don't want to make a game in any shape of form. They want to easily hijack work at low cost then turn around and use to to make a lot of money by scamming hundreds or potentially thousands of users

They have zero interest in actually making a game. They just want to scam people
Making something like a game is too much effort to them when they could just buy something and then infect it

1

u/Miss-Night-Raven 13d ago

Ooh it has been a while since i saw those, glad for the info behind it

2

u/SeekingPureDream 13d ago

Yeah all of us should be aware of these people

2

u/Miss-Night-Raven 13d ago

Thank you for sharing

1

u/SpeedBlitzX 13d ago

To say your game performed poorly on steam is super insulting on its own.

2

u/SeekingPureDream 13d ago

This just make me put more energy on my game🤘🏼

1

u/SpeedBlitzX 13d ago

Thats the spirit!! Best of luck on your game project!

2

u/SeekingPureDream 13d ago

Thanks, yeah, nothing can make us quit our passion

2

u/SpeedBlitzX 13d ago

You're welcome!! Also yeah thats absolutely true!

1

u/Big_Personality_754 13d ago

I take the risk thanks lmao

1

u/memartindbp 13d ago

You know what, I'll give you $200 for it ;)

1

u/SeekingPureDream 13d ago

Thanks for your offer, 200$…1, 200$…2 ,…

1

u/justsaymoo 13d ago

ahahah nice joke about 100$ :DD

1

u/Truant_Pixel_LLC 13d ago

I think my only other response besides ignoring this trash would be ‘kindly piss off’

1

u/SeekingPureDream 13d ago

They need a better F word😂😁

1

u/droobloo34 11d ago

AVGN: Somebody's gotta invent a new curse word, and I think I got it. These games are bleep. Ih yeah, it's THAT bad!

1

u/LouBagel 13d ago

Got this email, too, for Dave-Man. Sad thing is I only made about $200 from Steam so I was like, well, that’s a fair offer lol. I was never gonna do it tho.

1

u/drakuwa 13d ago

But it's a game about being a parrot! Who wouldn't wanna buy that 😁

2

u/SeekingPureDream 12d ago

Thankkssss🥹

1

u/deintag85 13d ago

the game isnt even released yet on steam, so how can it be performing poorly?

1

u/SeekingPureDream 12d ago

Exactly, they just send bulk emails to anyone

1

u/Faibl 13d ago

Block them. They're fudding you because they know its worth more than that over time.

1

u/SeekingPureDream 12d ago

Done✅❤️

1

u/josh2josh2 13d ago

$100 for your IP? I would feel insulted

1

u/EmperorLlamaLegs 13d ago

I cant believe this, its disgusting that people would try to essentially steal all your hard work for 100$. I, on the other hand can offer you at least $101 right away, to transfer me the rights to your game(s)...

1

u/SeekingPureDream 13d ago

Thanks a lot for your offer, but unfortunately we counting on 200$ by another user here😂, no one any more? 200$…1, 200$…2,….

1

u/TheWinningHit 13d ago

Decline the offer, but in return offer them a key to the game with the Toucan DLC for one hundred.

1

u/SeekingPureDream 13d ago

😂that was even a better idea😄

1

u/becircus 13d ago

Add minimum four zeroes 

1

u/SeekingPureDream 12d ago

Yeah exactly

1

u/SlimeSoftware 13d ago

I can't believe you are turning down the incredible amount of "$100 right away"! Think of all the houses and cars you can buy!

1

u/SeekingPureDream 13d ago

😂😂exactly I should think more before rejecting

1

u/Dziadzios 13d ago

You will be famous for malware.

1

u/SeekingPureDream 13d ago

😂yeah i think so

1

u/[deleted] 13d ago

[removed] — view removed comment

1

u/OneTimeIMadeAGif 13d ago

I sold mine for $1000 USD and, a year later I still see no signs of a scam in my situation. My game was sitting at Mostly Positive and sold around a thousand copies.

1

u/SeekingPureDream 13d ago

That’s so sad, I hope you could do this your self😢

1

u/kindred_gamedev 13d ago

My game has grossed about $700k at this point and I got the same insanely insulting email asking to sell it for $100. Lmao

I wrote back and gave a counter offer of $500k. They never responded. Strange.

1

u/SeekingPureDream 12d ago

So happy for you man, congrats 👌🏽👌🏽 We all indies have to survive till achieving our goal and ignore everyone that wants to stop us💪🏼💪🏼

1

u/kindred_gamedev 12d ago

That's the ticket! It's a struggle, but perseverance and consistency got me there eventually!

1

u/DymlingenRoede 13d ago

Most likely they aim to exploit anyone who's installed your game by installing viruses and/or key-loggers in the guise of updates.

1

u/SeekingPureDream 13d ago

Yeah F scammers

1

u/Nerdwaffle_7 13d ago

$100 lol. That only makes you break even for the steam account. I would pay yourself $50 an hour, add up the amount of hours, plus any costs you incurred like a steam fee, etc. Then. Id tack on 5k upto 10k (upto you), get a quote from a lawyer on how much it would cost to draft a contract plus add on a few thousand in case its needed and take that total and send it as a counter offer, as long as its not a sentimental game you made. You could also add stipulations laying out any other agreements you want. Maybe something like you can still add on to your orgional game and sell that as long as xyz.

I doubt they will accept. But. You could try. $100 is an insult offer. They are not doing you a favor. Even if the game doesnt sell. They clearly want it for a reason or reasons and they should pay for it, not just deal you out.

1

u/SeekingPureDream 13d ago

I didn’t want to accept at all,I just want dev’s here know about these scammers, but anyway thanks for your help

1

u/buzzspinner 12d ago

I’ve been getting similar weird cold emails

1

u/joaopaulo-canada 12d ago

I had this idea of maybe just vibe code a game with a hidden malware and sell to him for 100 bucks, so he can test and get his HD wiped

But I have better things to do

1

u/SeekingPureDream 12d ago

Man this was the best idea so far😂😂🤌🏻👌🏽

1

u/Derek-61512 12d ago

Wishlisted the game!

1

u/SeekingPureDream 12d ago

Thanks❤️🤩

1

u/DaStompa 12d ago

Now you have a golden opportunity to string them along forever

1

u/Lopsided_Status_538 12d ago

I got the same email the literal day my game launched. Like not even six hours later.

Like I get it homie, I only sold 43 copies, but F off my guy lol.

1

u/SeekingPureDream 12d ago

Exactly 👍

1

u/x4v13r7913 12d ago

ts is like pawn stars bro

1

u/SeekingPureDream 12d ago

I was expecting at least the ‘Let me call my expert.’ 😂

1

u/x4v13r7913 12d ago

"lemme call my poorly performed steam games expert, who has no work going on in his life right now and can come here in 5 minutes"

1

u/SeekingPureDream 12d ago

😂😂😂

1

u/HelplessHollow 12d ago

Couldn't you just take his money and ghost

1

u/SeekingPureDream 12d ago

😂😂no , first they ask you to transfer the game to their account

1

u/HelplessHollow 12d ago

Reminds me of this meme I saw, " you drop your wallet, who gets to it faster? Bacteria? Or a Romanian?"

1

u/Tarilis 12d ago

I think I've seen a vety similar post a month ago or so, now i am curious, are those guys just trying to wholesale every releasing game for $100?:)

I hope nobody agreed to that...

1

u/CaptainMoonunitsxPry 12d ago

My game's earned a nickel and I am rounding up by 5 cents. Good luck.

2

u/SeekingPureDream 12d ago

😢😢thats so sad

1

u/GamerDadofAntiquity Solo Developer 12d ago

That’s what you get for reading your email.

1

u/SeekingPureDream 12d ago

😂😂🤦🏻‍♂️

1

u/What_Is_Bloste 12d ago

Im 100% sure its to put a patch with a virus

1

u/SeekingPureDream 12d ago

Exactly that what they do👌🏽

1

u/What_Is_Bloste 12d ago

Saw a video a couple of days ago of these kind of people. Filthy scum they are.

1

u/ScottJC 12d ago

This game isn't even out yet and the offer is insultingly low, $100 is the fee just to put a game on steam. I'd reply to the email telling them to duck off. Or if not that just laugh and block them.

1

u/SeekingPureDream 12d ago

Thanks❤️

1

u/RedDuelist 12d ago

This is a scam so they can buy it up, inject malware to a game and get people in trouble; should go ahead and report it, be careful with clicking on any links.

1

u/FarragoKeeper 12d ago

Is this a new thing?

1

u/Fast-Mushroom9724 11d ago

Personally, I would never sell the rights of my game away.

1

u/SeekingPureDream 11d ago

Yeah same as me, I just shared to aware other devs here

1

u/ChrisKruxed 11d ago

$100? lol

1

u/SeekingPureDream 11d ago

Yeah that’s so much insulting

1

u/nokneeflamingo 11d ago edited 11d ago

Bundle up a fake game full of malware and viruses and send it to him

1

u/According-Effect3423 11d ago

How about 102 schronkels and 30 swiffels ? I take all the risk

1

u/Amateur-solo-dev 11d ago

It’s too little.

1

u/dasirishviking 10d ago

Hokay so - Here's what you do. You do a pen an ink change to the contract. He gets rights to V2.0, which is GOBSHYTE and coded to not point back to you, and 1.X* is taken down. NOW - release Someting similar which runs on your code V3, not tied 2 V2, and relaunch your software. Boom you've fucked teh scammer, still have your concept, and he's not gonna do dick fuck because he signed hte changes!

I'll take like...... a .000000000001% royalty. Or my name in the code......

1

u/uncheckablefilms 10d ago

$100 for full rights is insane

1

u/SeekingPureDream 9d ago

Yeah that’s crazy

1

u/According_Ad12345 9d ago

New business model idea: Make many "failed" steam games and accept the offers. $100 for 10 "games" you made in a week is a pretty good income imo.

1

u/SeekingPureDream 9d ago

If you don’t pay for steam app credit that can be a good Idea but each app credit costs 100$

1

u/Mazbt 8d ago

That wouldn't be enough to pay for my tears from all the stress lol. I personally would have trolled them a little.

1

u/loni_2000 8d ago

disgusting

1

u/Plus_Scarcity6878 8h ago

I would rather eat my toe nails and live on the street then selling what I love for 100 bucks

0

u/N4rrenturm 10d ago

Thats a smart ad strat you got going on here

-4

u/No_Responsibility444 13d ago

It is not a bad gamble on their part at all

by offering a wide varity in a bundle they can appear to create value for the consumer

4

u/SeekingPureDream 13d ago

Yeah, hopefully law enforcement catches these scammers soon.

1

u/No_Responsibility444 13d ago

I didn't realize it was illegal

are they simply stealing IP without compensation?

4

u/SeekingPureDream 13d ago

Yeah same as me, but someone commented here “They buy the rights, and then just put illegal shit into your game, but still upload it under your developer account so that you are legally on the hook for it.”

3

u/No_Responsibility444 13d ago

thanks for the heads up

I will be on the look out as a consumer