Developer Duty: Repairing Glitches and Bugs
by Jem Bem · in General Discussion · 09/15/2005 (4:41 am) · 3 replies
Hey all,
Now I realise that pretty much every game out there is tested rigorously to find bugs and glitches, however what duties do the developers have after shipping a flawed product? Is it a legal requirement to fix graphical glitches, and any other errors that may occur?
Just wondering since technically I have better than the specs for the AOE3 demo, however there are plenty of graphical problems that I'm wondering 1) will they repair them? (I'd expect so since Ensemble Studios is generally very good about releasing a highly polished product, and if they didn't and I was to buy the game, still plagued with the graphical glitches would they be required to fix them?
Now I realise that pretty much every game out there is tested rigorously to find bugs and glitches, however what duties do the developers have after shipping a flawed product? Is it a legal requirement to fix graphical glitches, and any other errors that may occur?
Just wondering since technically I have better than the specs for the AOE3 demo, however there are plenty of graphical problems that I'm wondering 1) will they repair them? (I'd expect so since Ensemble Studios is generally very good about releasing a highly polished product, and if they didn't and I was to buy the game, still plagued with the graphical glitches would they be required to fix them?
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#2
09/15/2005 (5:18 am)
I think there is some sort of "Fit for purpose" legal requirement.. You'd do well talking to a lawyer about possible legal problems before shipping a product... I'll certainly be talking to the Citizens Advice Bureau before shipping anything to find out what my legal obligations are... in the UK anyway.. not too sure how things stand internationally.
#3
Have you ever read a EULA (not that I'd hold "avoided that particular form of self-torture" against anyone)? They state, universally, that the software they cover is not fit for ANY purpose ("neither expressed nor implied" is the usual verbage... rhymes with "garbage").
This practice doesn't exactly inspire confidence, but is pervasive in every EULA I've ever bothered to read. Admittedly, that hasn't happened in several years now... If I want to abuse myself, I'll go give myself paper cuts and pour lemon juice on them.
--Mark
09/15/2005 (9:46 am)
"fit for purpose"? That's funny.Have you ever read a EULA (not that I'd hold "avoided that particular form of self-torture" against anyone)? They state, universally, that the software they cover is not fit for ANY purpose ("neither expressed nor implied" is the usual verbage... rhymes with "garbage").
This practice doesn't exactly inspire confidence, but is pervasive in every EULA I've ever bothered to read. Admittedly, that hasn't happened in several years now... If I want to abuse myself, I'll go give myself paper cuts and pour lemon juice on them.
--Mark
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However, a developer is likely to find a shortage of customers if they release something that's almost unplayable and don't fix it. Your best bet would be to hang around forums related to the developer/publisher and find out what the plans for patching the game are.