Although most everyone knows about official game retailers on PC like Steam and the like, there are some sketchy key shops out there where folks opt to purchase titles for "cheaper" – but, alas, they probably shouldn't.
For one, it hurts independent studios and might contribute to unfair regional pricing – but, that's not all.
Dicehit Games, the indie developer behind roguelike Runeveil and other fun little titles on Steam, explains as much in response to someone on X advising people to use key reselling websites to score less pricey copies of new games (in this case, they point to ReStory: Chill Electronics Repairs, a cozy sim that is also, yes, an indie title).
Dicehit outlines how some of these codes come to such unofficial retailers (if you can call them that) – they're free copies that developers send to content creators, media, and others who might advertise, preview, review, or otherwise cover a game.
"For those who do not know, sites like this sell the codes we sent out for free to get content on our game." writes Dicehit. "We do not get content and our good will is abused this way."
For those who do not know, sites like this sell the codes we sent out for free to get content on our game. We do not get content and our good will is abused this way.If any of our games are too expensive for you and you are going to use a code site, just pirate it. https://t.co/xJM3YzJKvyAugust 10, 2026
The studio's conclusion is what truly catches my eye here, however: "If any of our games are too expensive for you and you are going to use a code site, just pirate it."
That's quite an exclamation there, if I've ever read one – but, honestly, it's valid.
This isn't the first time that a dev has instructed fans to pirate if they can't afford a game, either. Peak developer Aggro Crab told gamers it'd "rather you pirate our game" than contribute to rip-offs.
Similarly, Rolledrome devs let people know they should "please pirate it" as none of the original team was left on the project at the time. It's a stance that many have taken in the industry – albeit for various reasons – and Dicehit Games is evidently not the first.
I'm guessing it won't be the last, either, as reselling continues to drive quite a market and clones of games (indie and AAA alike) run rampant online.
Looking to support some smaller developers yourself? Here's a roundup of the best upcoming indie games arriving this year and beyond to wishlist now.
