Markus Persson, widely recognized as Notch, has long been a figure of controversy within the gaming community. Over the past thirteen years, his candid remarks on social media have sparked debates not only about the gaming industry but also about broader social issues. A notable instance occurred in 2012 when he encouraged a Minecraft fan to pirate the game if financial constraints were an issue, stating:
Just pirate it. If you still like it when you can afford it in the future, buy it then. Also, don’t forget to feel bad. 😉
Persson’s views on piracy were further articulated during the 2011 Game Developers Conference, where he asserted that piracy should not be equated with theft. He argued that stealing a car removes it from circulation, while pirating a game simply adds another copy to the world, potentially converting a new player into a fan.
Persson’s Perspective on the Stop Killing Games Initiative
Recently, Persson revisited his stance amid the growing momentum of the Stop Killing Games initiative. This online petition aims to gather sufficient signatures to propose legislation in the UK and European parliaments, seeking to prevent game developers and publishers from terminating games by shutting down servers permanently. A recent example of this trend was highlighted when Electronic Arts announced that all services for BioWare’s Anthem would cease on January 12, 2026, rendering the game unplayable thereafter.
The Stop Killing Games initiative is rapidly gaining traction, approaching 1.3 million signatures, as noted on its official website. In response, publishers have expressed concerns, suggesting that the implementation of such legislation would be ‘prohibitively expensive,’ hinting at potential price hikes for consumers.
In light of these developments, Persson remarked:
If buying a game is not a purchase, then pirating them is not theft.
When prompted about alternative approaches for developers and publishers instead of shutting down games, Persson reminisced about a time when older games allowed players to host their own servers, which helped sustain the gaming experience even after official support ended.
Earlier this year, Persson also gauged interest among his followers regarding a possible return to game development, hinting at a spiritual successor to Minecraft. While the feedback was overwhelmingly positive, the future of such a project remains uncertain.
As the conversation around gaming piracy and the longevity of games continues, one must ponder: do you align with Persson’s perspective on this complex issue?
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