The indie game Slay the Princess has been making waves recently, partly thanks to Markiplier. It’s a pretty unique horror game with a dark storyline. You play as a character who has to slay a princess to save the world.
It sounds simple, but it gets pretty complicated and psychological. The game got a huge boost when Markiplier did a Let’s Play of it, and now the developer has taken to X to share some thoughts.
The Developers of the Game Made a Surprising Statement
Markiplier’s stream of Slay the Princess went viral pretty quickly. A million people watched it in just a day, and it really puts the game on the map. Suddenly, everyone was talking about it. The game got a lot of attention, which is great for a small indie developer.
Or if you can't afford the game in general, pirate it! No skin off our back, and you can always buy a copy later if you think the game was worth your money.
And then watch Mr. Plier. 🙂
— Slay the Princess – The Pristine Cut Era (@blacktabbygames) June 22, 2024
Usually, when a game goes viral like this, developers get super excited about the sales. But Black Tabby Games, the developer, took a different approach. The team made a public statement that shocked a lot of people. The studio basically said that if someone can’t afford to buy the game, then just pirating it instead is completely fine.
This is a pretty bold move because most developers are against piracy, but in recent times, a lot of indie developers have encouraged their fans to do so if they absolutely cannot afford the game. Black Tabby Games said that it understands that not everyone has the money to buy the game, but the team still wants people to enjoy it and experience the story it worked hard to create. To the studio, getting people to experience the game is good enough.
The team also mentioned that it hopes people who pirate the game will buy it later if they can afford it. Black Tabby Games is basically putting its faith in the players, hoping they’ll support the game if they like it and can afford to do so in the future. This kind of trust is rare in the gaming industry, and it’s refreshing to see something like this.
Slay the Princess Got a Massive Boost After Markiplier’s Stream
In this unconventional RPG, players take on the role of a brave knight tasked not with rescuing, but with defeating a series of powerful princesses who have become tyrannical rulers in their own right. The game has been praised for its suspenseful atmosphere, dark humor, and unique art style.
The game’s narrative is laced with satire and humor, offering a fresh perspective on classic fairy tale tropes. As players progress, they uncover the motivations behind each princess’s rise to power, revealing deeper layers of the game’s lore and universe.
However, it remained a niche title until Markiplier began his Let’s Play series. Markiplier’s videos have introduced the game to a whole new audience, just like his series has done for plenty of other less-popular, indie games in the past.
Black Tabby Games’ piracy statement is also a smart marketing move, as the team has got a lot of well-deserved attention because of it. People are talking about their game not just because of Markiplier, but also because of the studio’s bold stance on piracy.
Are you going to check out Slay the Princess? Let us know in the comments below.
