In a recent turn of events, the free-to-play web3 game PirateFi, which reportedly attracted over 7,000 players upon its launch on Steam, faced a swift and decisive takedown due to concerns over “malicious files.” This action was prompted by Valve’s notification to players, warning them that their systems might be at risk after downloading the game.
Concerns Arise Over Game’s Legitimacy
As highlighted by SteamDB, a platform dedicated to tracking Steam data, users who engaged with PirateFi were alerted that the developer’s uploads contained suspected malware. Initial reviews for the game were mixed, with a few positive comments emerging shortly after launch. However, these endorsements came from accounts with minimal gameplay experience, raising eyebrows about their authenticity.
In stark contrast, a wave of negative feedback soon followed, primarily from newly created accounts. Players voiced serious allegations, including claims of data theft and unauthorized spending from their Steam wallets. One user even suggested that the game’s promotional images were pilfered from another pirate-themed title. This pattern of fresh accounts providing negative reviews casts doubt on the legitimacy of the earlier positive feedback, as it is plausible that some of these older accounts may have contributed to the initial praise.
Further complicating the narrative, a Telegram account under the name Jose Andres reportedly offered individuals an hour to moderate the game, hinting at an orchestrated effort to inflate player numbers. This dubious recruitment strategy appears to have been a ploy to entice more users into downloading PirateFi, under the guise of a legitimate job opportunity.
Despite claims of a player base exceeding 7,000, analytics from SteamDB suggest that the game’s peak concurrent players never surpassed five. Reports indicate that many users experienced difficulties launching the game, further diminishing the likelihood of a substantial active player count. Estimates from Gamalytic suggest around 800 downloads, while VG Insights posits that the figure could be as high as 1,500.
This incident raises significant concerns regarding the safety protocols within the Steam store. As the gaming community reflects on this event, the hope remains that it will be treated as an isolated case, prompting Valve to enhance its measures against future threats. The response from Valve is eagerly awaited as stakeholders seek clarity on the steps being taken to safeguard the platform.
A web3 free-to-play survival game found to be a front for installing malware on your PC has finally been removed from Steam
In a recent turn of events, the free-to-play web3 game PirateFi, which reportedly attracted over 7,000 players upon its launch on Steam, faced a swift and decisive takedown due to concerns over “malicious files.” This action was prompted by Valve’s notification to players, warning them that their systems might be at risk after downloading the game.
Concerns Arise Over Game’s Legitimacy
As highlighted by SteamDB, a platform dedicated to tracking Steam data, users who engaged with PirateFi were alerted that the developer’s uploads contained suspected malware. Initial reviews for the game were mixed, with a few positive comments emerging shortly after launch. However, these endorsements came from accounts with minimal gameplay experience, raising eyebrows about their authenticity.
In stark contrast, a wave of negative feedback soon followed, primarily from newly created accounts. Players voiced serious allegations, including claims of data theft and unauthorized spending from their Steam wallets. One user even suggested that the game’s promotional images were pilfered from another pirate-themed title. This pattern of fresh accounts providing negative reviews casts doubt on the legitimacy of the earlier positive feedback, as it is plausible that some of these older accounts may have contributed to the initial praise.
Further complicating the narrative, a Telegram account under the name Jose Andres reportedly offered individuals an hour to moderate the game, hinting at an orchestrated effort to inflate player numbers. This dubious recruitment strategy appears to have been a ploy to entice more users into downloading PirateFi, under the guise of a legitimate job opportunity.
Despite claims of a player base exceeding 7,000, analytics from SteamDB suggest that the game’s peak concurrent players never surpassed five. Reports indicate that many users experienced difficulties launching the game, further diminishing the likelihood of a substantial active player count. Estimates from Gamalytic suggest around 800 downloads, while VG Insights posits that the figure could be as high as 1,500.
This incident raises significant concerns regarding the safety protocols within the Steam store. As the gaming community reflects on this event, the hope remains that it will be treated as an isolated case, prompting Valve to enhance its measures against future threats. The response from Valve is eagerly awaited as stakeholders seek clarity on the steps being taken to safeguard the platform.