DISCUSSION: Is it fair to rate low for an app that doesn't work on your device?

[Takaprime]

 

Have you ever noticed that whenever you look at the ratings for pretty much any app on the app store the most common rating is 5 stars, followed by 4, then 3. But 1 star is almost always more common than 2 stars. 

 

When I look through the 1 star ratings, many of them are just people who didn't like the game, but a significant number of them rated 1 star just because that particular app didn't work on their particular device (unnecessary examples below). The game it'self may be great, but they didn't get to play it so they rate low, usually 1 or 2 stars.

 

 

So is it fair to give an app a low rating because it doesn't work for you, or not?

 

Should the developers be criticized for not being able to include every device?

Should those who can't experience it not be able to rate it in the first place?

[Lord_Karango17]

Maybe. If it is payed, it should be validated to work on most devices, but if its free, then is it bad that it does not work on your device? as you didnt really loose anything.

[Jimbillroo Digital]

Maybe. If it is payed, it should be validated to work on most devices, but if its free, then is it bad that it does not work on your device? as you didnt really loose anything.

 

I agree. 

[ImBleu]

If its a high-end phone that it is expected to run on, like say a Galaxy Note - Yes its fair.

 

If its a no-name brand low-end Phone - I'd say no.

 

 

Same goes with Steam and Steam Games. If a game runs like absolute crap on TitanX SLI, It's a crappy job from the Developer. Whereas if you can not play Witcher 3 on an Ultrabook, it's understandable.

[Mug]

Say "I'm sure the app is great but it doesn't work on my [X]"

[Snickerzz]

If it states what it works on no. If it doesn't still no. Android has so many different hardware configs you can't garantee it to work on everything

[Takaprime]

Maybe. If it is payed, it should be validated to work on most devices, but if its free, then is it bad that it does not work on your device? as you didnt really loose anything.

That's very true, money make thing a lot more high stakes. How many devices should you make sure to accommodate for? Should those outside of even those still have the right to rate low?

[Levent]

on games I would say no but on apps unless it designed to run on specific hardware (like only supports the wifi driver of Nexus4 in order to work) I would say no but everything else yes.

[Takaprime]

If its a high-end phone that it is expected to run on, like say a Galaxy Note - Yes its fair.

 

If its a no-name brand low-end Phone - I'd say no.

 

 

Same goes with Steam and Steam Games. If a game runs like absolute crap on TitanX SLI, It's a crappy job from the Developer. Whereas if you can not play Witcher 3 on an Ultrabook, it's understandable.

Should developers start posting system requirements for their apps then?

[Takaprime]

Say "I'm sure the app is great but it doesn't work on my [X]"

But can you actually be sure? you haven't been able to experience it yet and give a valid opinion on whether or not it is any good or not.

[Rageoclax]

You have to remember that most users will not always rate the game itself but the experience they had with the game. 

 

In this case while I personally don't like that users will rate a game at 1 star due to the compatibility issues they are facing I totally understand their motives. 

 

If the game has been advertised as compatible with their system it should run. Though many people would rather have the touch and go experience without any issues rather than taking some time to troubleshoot their own problems. 

[Mug]

But can you actually be sure? you haven't been able to experience it yet and give a valid opinion on whether or not it is any good or not.

It's not an opinion of the app, it's an "I'm sure" which doesn't mean "I'm certain". It's a phrase used alot in England

[Takaprime]

You have to remember that most users will not always rate the game itself but the experience they had with the game. 

 

In this case while I personally don't like that users will rate a game at 1 star due to the compatibility issues they are facing I totally understand their motives. 

 

If the game has been advertised as compatible with their system it should run. Though many people would rather have the touch and go experience without any issues rather than taking some time to troubleshoot their own problems. 

Good point.  It makes sense to rate based on the feeling the app gave you. If you were frustrated that it didn't work it makes sense to rate low. But is it the developer's fault for not making sure it is compatible with your device? Even devices of the exact same model can differ from each other based on who's using it and what they are doing.

[EpicAdom]

@Takaprime you should add a "depends upon the device" item to the poll, because the device could be a $50 phone from a brand that's unheard of or it could be a $700 flagship from Samsung.

[Takaprime]

@Takaprime you should add a "depends upon the device" item to the poll, because the device could be a $50 phone from a brand that's unheard of or it could be a $700 flagship from Samsung.

Thanks

~Added~

[TheMcSame]

Unless you're using a cheapo phone, a phone from an unknown brand or the app has a compatibility list (and your device is not on it), yes, it's completely fair imo.

[minibois]

It's fair. You don't only rate the content of the app, but also how good or bad it performs.

[Rageoclax]

Good point.  It makes sense to rate based on the feeling the app gave you. If you were frustrated that it didn't work it makes sense to rate low. But is it the developer's fault for not making sure it is compatible with your device? Even devices of the exact same model can differ from each other based on who's using it and what they are doing.

 

No, there is no fault on the developer since there are multiple variables they cannot account for. 

 

It's an unfair situation to be in as the developer. You can really only acknowledge that the app itself will be incompatible with certain devices even if the game itself is great. 

 

I would say the entire system is flawed though. In situations like this I would like to see a more in-depth review system where the customer can specify that the app did not work but no star rating is given to the product itself. So you would have essentially two alternate review systems, one for the app and one for the game. 

[KingKeith55]

If it doesn't work and it looks ok, take the base rating of 3 stars (in the middle, neutral since you weren't able to use it and don't be biased) and subtract 1 because it didn't work on your device (counting as a con since it has less compatibility)

So the fairest rating you can give it is 2 stars. 

 

1 star is when it's absolute garbage.

[Husky]

Most of the time if an Android app doesn't work it's probably because it isn't compatible with the version of Android you're using. For example if an app doesn't work on Lollipop it is probably badly coded.

[Telan]

Tell you the truth, if it was a program I bought, yeah, I'd give it a one rating until it worked. Free? All I really lost was a few minutes, and I probably just wouldn't rate it at all.

[Lord_Karango17]

Good point.  It makes sense to rate based on the feeling the app gave you. If you were frustrated that it didn't work it makes sense to rate low. But is it the developer's fault for not making sure it is compatible with your device? Even devices of the exact same model can differ from each other based on who's using it and what they are doing.

They likely already have data on what the majority of their users are using, so they can validate for those sorts of phones, but it will be far more rigorous than that.

 

Lot of precaution has to be taken when you are taking other peoples money, as oppose to banging out a free game, and calling it a day.

[KE2012]

If the app doesn't work on your device then you need to let the developer known one way or another, and giving one star is one way to do that, while telling othes at the same time. So yes, I think its fair. Especially if you initially had to pay for that app. 

[FIXXX]

If it allowed to be installed on my device - it should work on it. If it doesn't work - i'd feel fully confident in rating it thus.

[GoldSrc]

Is it bad to rate low a game that won't run on your PC because you don't have the hardware to do it?