Pirate Software leaves Ludwig’s game company over Stop Killing Games controversy

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Streamer Pirate Software has disclosed that he’s parted ways with Ludwig’s OffBrand Games, following the continuous controversy surrounding his stance on the Stop Killing Games movement.

In April 2024, the “Stop Destroying Games” campaign was initiated by YouTube personality Ross Scott (also recognized as AccursedFarms), which sought to question the legitimacy surrounding game publishers removing or discontinuing video games.

The group primarily aims to prevent publishers from ceasing updates and support for video games after the original developers have stopped working on them. This goal resonates with many gamers, yet it has not received endorsement from Pirate Software, as the Twitch streamer found the mission too ambiguous in its objectives.

As a gamer, I found myself in the thick of it when my work on Rivals of Aether 2, a game produced by Ludwig’s OffBrand Games, became a subject of criticism. In response, I noticed an unusual surge of negative reviews on Steam, which felt like a review-bombing incident.

Pirate Software leaves OffBrand Games

Ludwig spoke about the negative reviews, explaining that Pirate Software doesn’t have a vested interest in the game, and he finds it unfair that his team is being penalized for something they didn’t do directly.

Ever since then, the streamer has chosen to distance himself from the game development team. He recently expressed on platform X (previously known as Twitter) that he is no longer associated with @offbrand_games due to a barrage of criticism against their published games and an attempt to flood review bomb them.

Even though you might not agree with my words, I must say that such conduct is inappropriate. I’ve gained valuable insights from the experience and achieved much. I genuinely wish them success. They’re fantastic individuals, and I enjoyed collaborating with them. Let’s hope they continue to excel.

I’ve recently left my position at @offbrand_games due to an unusual situation where people were aggressively review-bombing our published games. While everyone is entitled to their opinions, this kind of extreme behavior is concerning. I had a great learning experience there and am proud of what we achieved together; I wish them continued success in the future.

— Pirate Software (@PirateSoftware) July 3, 2025

He responded with another message, countering allegations that he had been untruthful regarding the alleged attacks on the gaming community and developers.

To those suggesting I’m telling untruths, let me clarify: the mistreatment wasn’t just confined to one platform. It spanned across discussions on Discord, tweets on Twitter, posts on Reddit, and even some Steam reviews.” (Gamer speaking)

Independent games are delicate creations, and such attacks can be devastating. The general reaction seemed to be to disparage both the games and their creators as a form of retaliation against me. It’s not right to undermine them just because of my opinion. Moreover, I urge you to seek help.

As a gamer, I must clarify that the criticism wasn’t just about one game or its creators; it extended across various platforms like Discord, Twitter, Reddit, and even Steam reviews. It’s important to understand that indie games are delicate creations, and such harsh attacks can cause significant damage. The general sentiment seemed to be aimed at belittling the games and their developers.

— Pirate Software (@PirateSoftware) July 3, 2025

Ludwig thanked the streamer for stepping away, too. 

The Stop Killing Games campaign is commendable, however, some malicious users have resorted to review-bombing and harassing developers of the games we back at @offbrand_games. I’m grateful that Thor has chosen to step down for the sake of these developers and their games.

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2025-07-03 16:49