Game Developer Hands Out Steam Codes to Pirates

[[Coi] Mr.CLuBBeR]

Good or bad idea?

11 Bit Studios, the developer behind This War of Mine, has been hanging around The Pirate Bay lately, though not because it's looking to get anyone in trouble for pirating its game. Instead, 11 Bit Studios is handing out Steam codes to gamers who would otherwise pirate This War of Mine, an unorthodox strategy that it hopes will win the company a loyal following and buy it some goodwill.
Rather than stand on a soapbox and berate gamers for pirating the company's software, 11 Bit Studios' PR person Karol Zajaczkowski showed some understanding towards the less nefarious reasons why a person would steal a title to begin with.
"We are really happy to hear that you like our game. They prove that spending 2 years on it was worth it. I would like to say thank you to everyone who decided to buy the game and support us - because of that we'll be able to develop TWoM further and create even better games in the future," Zajaczkowski stated in the comments section of the most torrented version of This War of Mine. "If because of some reasons you can't buy the game, it's ok. We know life, and we know that sometimes it's just not possible. Here are some codes for the Steam copy of the game, so some of you can take a look at it. And if you like the game after spending a few hours in, then just spread the word, and you'll help us a lot."
The gesture didn't go unappreciated by The Pirate Bay community.
"You are willing to risk 190€ so people can have a legal copy of your game and play it as everyone else should. Screw this torrent. It is my next goal to save some money for a Steam copy of your product of 2 years of hard work. You certainly deserve it," one person commented.
"I bought the game when I saw it on Twitch on Day 1. Two of my friends pirated it, and then I saw your comment. Bought two copies for those two friends. You guys ARE talented, hope to see more games like this in the future," another person wrote.
This War of Mine is a survival game from the perspective of civilians trying to survive in a besieged city. It runs $20 on Steam and has garnered generally favorable reviews around the web -- our sister site PCGamer scored it 80 out of 100.
That said, do you think it's appropriate for game developers and studios to hand out free codes on pirating hangouts, or do you view it as rewarding bad behavior? Sound out in the comments section below!
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