That's a false equivalency. He's not working for free since people who would've paid for it already are. Those who can't (i.e. being region blocked due to their country's laws) are still getting to enjoy a product through pirates like us. Not only that, but releasing pirated games, if they're good, tend to have the opposite effect in that more customers will end up buying/supporting said game.
There are people who cannot get these products through legit means, and I've already stated I'm not referring to these scenarios. That excuse gets used as a blanket excuse by the masses, however. The overwhelming majority of piracy takes place by people who do not fit into that category. So then the excuse is "the poor". That's legit, but in this situation there is a free, full version offered, so it also, does not hold water. Lastly we get to Gabe's famous quote, which also gets used as a one size fits all excuse, but doesnt apply to small Indie Developers as "equivalently". People like to paint themselves as Robin Hood, stealing from the rich to give to the poor. Except in reality, here we are usually stealing from the poor, trying to change their circumstances, because we've just gotten that comfortable and entitled. My issue is less with piracy and more with those who are perfectly capable, but steal anyways. So many are quick to justify it, until they are on the receiving end. Then they are crying to mommy / teacher / police / government. Suddenly it's an injustice instead of a "service".
Yes, it's cool that a developer shares his game for free. But when is he going to share it? In 2-3 months? Nothing prevents from posting free releases 2-3 weeks after the update is released, the developer does not lose anything from this.
This is not stealing. If a person likes the game and has a conscience, they will definitely thank the developer.
It's more so an update that's streamlining the first few sectors alongside adding a divergent quest chain "The Evolution Path". You can get the Evolution Path either by dropping your mental health to 0% (repeated knockouts from spores), or by losing to the Lotus. Just keep in mind that this path seems to work on different mechanics than that of the normal path.
Yes, you're right. The developer is not obligated to give his game away for free. Yes, it's generous of the developer to share the game. But it's not absurd at all when you give people who have been waiting for an update for 7 months the opportunity not to wait another month or two before the next update is released.
How long of a time frame do we set then? If a game is being developed by a single person, who is also going to school or holding down a job, do we say 2 months, and then it's not stealing? 5 weeks? Where is the line? You look at Devs like Amino (Beasts in the Sun) who makes quality content, but is infamous for milking his subscribers for near or over a year for tiny content drops. Only seems to trickle out some content when he starts losing enough income. Then I would say this point of view holds water. When he releases actual content, I think he should be paid for it, but his Subscribers are closer to Enablers than they are to Supporters at this point. However, when we consider Dev's that offer a full free version, regular updates (except when Credit Card companies interrupt their source of income) and active communication (ie: MorrakGames, Waifu Dreams Studio, Talothral, etc.). Are you saying because the update isn't within 2-3 months, that that time frame should justify pirating it? Have you Developed a game yourself?
I'd like to think so, and I do see a small percentage do just that. It's a good thing too, because there wouldn't be anything to steal without them.
I completely agree, that's why they're called donations, because it's voluntary. I'm an old pirate, but if I could leave a review or report an error, I would do it for free. It's not a big deal for me to help.
What a wonderful victory for our "intellectual" pirate community! I wonder how many more developers we will break and how many good games we will bury in the process. Something to be proud of, huh?
You seem to miss a massive part of the point. If you like a game, and want more of it, it is counter productive to take away their main reason for making it: income. Especially in cases like this where they are literally giving away a full version that is only a revision behind. It hurts no one to let them have their Patreon Supporters when they are updating regularly and giving away the slightly older content.
It's good, and there is a free version that does not require verification:
