Hardware SFANS has changed their backers design into a dock without asking!

[Deleted-355425]

I’m going to get my bank to sort this out as fraud.

 

[mikey420]

Ahem just want to put this out here...

Crowd funding does not guarantee a product design and legally speaking they are not obligated to you in anyway to provide you with anything specific in terms of design. Once you issue your donation it's out of your hands. It's charity.... not an investment. In other words your complaints are invalid so instead of complaining about something beyond your control (that I agree was a shitty decision) simply try to be more picky about who you fund and move on. Or maybe modify it as seen fit the wiring has to be pretty basic I'm sure.

 

[duffmmann]

If theyre still using the same guts, just changing the shell wont avoid them.

They could also have redesigned it so that it was closer to the original premise, I doubt theres a design patent involved.

Its also opening themselves up to potential legal issues from their backers by acting the way they are, even if theres no merit it could still cost them money.

No, it really isn't. That's not how these crowdfunding sites work. Read the fine print and you'll see that a change as "drastic" (really don't think its all that drastic) as what we've seen here is completely protected.

 

[Yil]

Hope Switch Charge doesn't screw up. One of the few Indiegogo Project that actually does something.

 

[tech3475]

No, it really isn't. That's not how these crowdfunding sites work. Read the fine print and you'll see that a change as "drastic" (really don't think its all that drastic) as what we've seen here is completely protected.

Read the part after the bold.

It wouldn't matter even if they're legally ok as they would likely still hire a lawyer to handle the case if they got served.

There's also the chance of settling purely because of the legal costs.

It also depends on the law as depending on jurisdiction there could be an overriding law.

It's also arguably a drastic change when you look at their pitch (Switch flat vs vertical), especially when you factor the tier which includes a stand. As I've said before, if I were to back this project that would have been the reason why.

 

[linuxares]

People stop, crowdfunding isn't an investment anymore. Well not on sites like Kickstarter, but Indiegogo is a wildwest.
What have people learned? Stop supporting Indiegogo jokers, end of story.

 

[Deleted-355425]

People stop, crowdfunding isn't an investment anymore. Well not on sites like Kickstarter, but Indiegogo is a wildwest.
What have people learned? Stop supporting Indiegogo jokers, end of story.

Where were you in august to tell me this?

 

[linuxares]

Where were you in august to tell me this?

Sorry, I been burned as well (Ouya anyone?). So I guess this is your turn.
But one plus with the Ouya was, it was pretty sweet for emulators!

 

[Futurdreamz]

Sorry, I been burned as well (Ouya anyone?). So I guess this is your turn.
But one plus with the Ouya was, it was pretty sweet for emulators!

Who would've thought that a "revolutionary" new console that's supposed to compete with mainstream consoles only ends up getting illegal ports of obsolete mainstream console games?

 

[9thSage]

To be fair the original design was terrible. You can't prop up the switch when plugged in unless you get creative with a bunch of 1-2-3 blocks or something, And letting it sit flat is going to cause serious heating problems with blocked ports and UFD failure.

If they stick with the original design they are likely to run into problems with people's Switches dying and refund demands and lawsuits.

That's not true? It isn't going to overheat. I have the thing they were rebranding, overheating is no issue. It works great actually.

 

[linuxares]

Who would've thought that a "revolutionary" new console that's supposed to compete with mainstream consoles only ends up getting illegal ports of obsolete mainstream console games?

I knew it wasn't going to be a big success. I bought it for the XBMC ability back in the day. It was doing an okeyish job.

 

[TerraPhantm]

No, it really isn't. That's not how these crowdfunding sites work. Read the fine print and you'll see that a change as "drastic" (really don't think its all that drastic) as what we've seen here is completely protected.

The original version was advertised as being able to work with other devices like laptops - that no longer really works with the dock design. Does that not count as a drastic change?

 

[The Real Jdbye]

That's not true? It isn't going to overheat. I have the thing they were rebranding, overheating is no issue. It works great actually.

It does block the air vents almost completely when you do that though. My Switch gets pretty warm in the official dock, I would not like it to get hotter. I'm concerned about how it would affect the battery and CPU lifetime. Also with all the reports of Switches bending (mine is bent too although for all I know it might have been like that from the factory) it's best not to take any chances.

 

[Futurdreamz]

It does block the air vents almost completely when you do that though. My Switch gets pretty warm in the official dock, I would not like it to get hotter. I'm concerned about how it would affect the battery and CPU lifetime. Also with all the reports of Switches bending (mine is bent too although for all I know it might have been like that from the factory) it's best not to take any chances.

The question is if the Switch starts throttling the CPU? Nintendo should be precognitive enough to throw in some safety features at the expense of the Switch shutting down or switching to portable mode, but it gets hot enough that worst case scenario you could be looking at warping, melting, and maybe even the battery igniting.

I'm personally not going to risk it.

 

[RedBlueGreen]

Read the part after the bold.

It wouldn't matter even if they're legally ok as they would likely still hire a lawyer to handle the case if they got served.

There's also the chance of settling purely because of the legal costs.

It also depends on the law as depending on jurisdiction there could be an overriding law.

It's also arguably a drastic change when you look at their pitch (Switch flat vs vertical), especially when you factor the tier which includes a stand. As I've said before, if I were to back this project that would have been the reason why.

The plaintiff would most likely lose since they're not obligated to keep the initial design. Since this isn't a product purchase you can't claim it's false advertising either. There's a chance that they could have to refund backers in a specific area, but still that's being generous since no actual promises were made about the design. And the plaintiff would risk having a lawsuit against themselves (they could claim something like libel if they wanted).

 

[Foxi4]

That's stupid - the console already comes with a dock. If they wanted to get rid of the "creepy cable", here's a thought - why not just use a detachable USB-C cable? It's not that hard. The whole point of the design was being able to use the Switch in docked mode without actually putting it inside a dock, this change defeats the intended purpose.

 

[Oleboy555]

I think it looks great and i'd still buy it.

 

[Deleted-355425]

I think it looks great and i'd still buy it.

Wanna buy mine?

 

[tech3475]

The plaintiff would most likely lose since they're not obligated to keep the initial design. Since this isn't a product purchase you can't claim it's false advertising either. There's a chance that they could have to refund backers in a specific area, but still that's being generous since no actual promises were made about the design. And the plaintiff would risk having a lawsuit against themselves (they could claim something like libel if they wanted).

Could be argued theyre not delivering rewards or provding incorrect specs as its a dock and not a dongle.

If the judge accepts that argument then its possible and while I cant find the verdict, there have been lawsuits over such issues which could set a precedent.

I doubt they could argue libel though unless theyve said wrong things about them in public, unless its just a delaying tactict or a shot in the dark. They could however try for legal expenses.

 

[mikey420]

They could file all they want but the simple fact is it was not an investment. The money is not given under and promise or guarantee period. In short unless there are conflicting laws in place in the funders region they have literally no ground for a valid lawsuit.