Ultrakill Creator Shows Surprising Support for Game Piracy: A Discussion on Access and Influence
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The creator of Ultrakill has expressed his approval for individuals who resort to illegally downloading his game. The act of pirating video games is widely debated and seen as a contentious activity. Many players consider it, given that investing in a game at full price brings uncertainty about its value. This is where game demos and promotional offers come into play.
Nevertheless, there are instances where individuals proceed with pirating, highlighted by a widely shared instance on social media of someone acquiring Ultrakill illicitly. This led to a broader discourse on piracy within the indie game sector. Given that Ultrakill comes from a smaller-scale developer and has been discounted heavily, the rationale behind not financially supporting the creator raised questions.
In response, Hakita, the game's developer, stated that pirating his game was not an issue. He explained, "If you're in a position to support independent developers, I encourage you to do so; however, access to culture and art should not be exclusive to those with financial capability. My own creative journey with Ultrakill was heavily influenced by my access to films, music, and video games during my formative years."
It's critical to note that this perspective is not a carte blanche endorsement of piracy. The emphasis remains that supporting game developers is the preferred action. But as Hakita notes, if a potential purchaser is financially constrained, the act of pirating does not directly translate to a financial loss for him.