Russia-based game developer Four Quarters is against the war in Ukraine but, like other companies, is still feeling the effects of the sanctions. In response to the local credit card issues affecting Steam, the indie developer is encouraging people to use a VPN and hack the hit game 'Loop Hero'.
When Vladimir Putin's tanks and some 200,000 troops began to cross the border on February 24, 2022, his army expected a swift subjugation of Ukraine.
Four weeks later, amid massive loss of life and widespread destruction, things are not going to plan for Russia, militarily or economically.
An unprecedented sanctions package designed to deter Putin has plunged Russia's economy into crisis, and like the Russian bombs that fell on innocent civilians in Ukraine, the sanctions are also hitting those who oppose the war in his country.
Players and games are part of Fallout
Earlier in March, reports from Russia indicated that sanctions targeting the financial sector were having an immediate effect on game developers and gamers alike.
Steam developers in the country who distribute games through Steam found that they would receive no sales revenue from the platform due to their use of state-owned banks. Opportunities exist for developers to switch to unauthorized alternatives, but the situation is fluid and offers no guarantees.
The situation for the players is not good either. Visa and Mastercard previously announced that locally issued cards would no longer work outside of Russia. This is a problem for Russian gamers who rely on these cards to purchase Steam games.
With all parts of the gaming chain facing disruption, a developer in Russia has come up with its own solution to get its product into the hands of gamers.
Four Quarters โ Developers Against War
Russia-based software developer Four Quarters is the talent behind loop hero, a never-ending RPG that quickly racked up 500,000 in sales before becoming even more successful. According to SteamSpy, up to two million people bought the game after its release in 2021, but those who want to buy it in Russia through Steam face serious problems.
With conflict-related emotions online, it's worth noting that Four Quarters is staunchly against war. Since February 24 the company has made its clear opposition but that hasn't made any difference to their ability to sell the game in Russia through Steam or the ability of players to buy it.
So, in a move that removes all official financial transactions, banks, cards, and distribution channels from the equation, Four Quarters now encourages gamers to install a BitTorrent client and hack Loop Hero instead.
Better get on RuTracker
As the most popular torrent site in Russia, RuTracker has its own problem set with the Russian authorities. However, it is likely to become increasingly popular with Russian users as options to purchase content become more limited. That includes those who would also like to play Loop Hero.
In an advertisement on the Russian social network VK, Four Quarters urges everyone to "help raise the pirate flag" by downloading Loop Hero for free, no strings attached.
The ad contains a link to the relevant page on RuTracker, where the free giveaway is welcomed by some, but not necessarily all.
Demonstrating the divisions caused by the war, comments on the game's draw range from respect to accusations that the developer has somehow betrayed Russia. It is just a small sign of the problems facing Ukraine and the entire world as it emerges from this tragedy fueled by disinformation and propaganda.
Finally, after "escaping" from Russia to nearby Georgia earlier this month, one of the Four Quarters developers is now able to speak freely. The box is empty, he saysbut it might not stay that way for long.
