GOG Responds to Controversial Ultraviolent Killing Game, "Hatred"

Hatred, an upcoming PC game that lets you play the role of a mass murderer, has caused quite a stir since its beyond brutal gameplay trailer was released this week. Following the trailer's debut, the studio told GameSpot that it would like to launch the game through Steam and GOG, but it remains to be seen if either digital distribution platform would approve the game.

While Valve has not responded to comment about the possibility of a Hatred release on Steam, a representative for GOG told GameSpot Friday that it has yet to speak with Hatred developer Destructive Creations about a publishing deal.

"Currently we are not in touch with developers of Hatred," a representative for GOG told GameSpot. "You know about our 'boutique approach' so in any case, before deciding on a release, we would review the game and give our feedback to the devs."

Destructive Creations would like to launch Hatred on Steam and GOG, but the studio isn't sure either company will allow it.

"We really wish to release [a] digital version through Steam and GOG, but actually we have no idea if they will let us to do this, because of all the sh**storm the game is delivering," Destructive Creations' Jarosław Zieliński told GameSpot.

Hatred does not shy away from the fact that it is principally a game about killing people--from unsuspecting civilians to law enforcement officials. In announcing the game, Destructive Creations made it clear that you shouldn't take the game too seriously because "it's just a game."

"These days, when a lot of games are heading to be polite, colorful, politically correct, and trying to be some kind of higher art, rather than just an entertainment--we wanted to create something against trends," the studio said about Hatred.

Hatred runs on Unreal Engine 4, the same technology that powers games such as Fable Legends and Kingdom Hearts III. Unreal Engine owner Epic Games told GameSpot that it is not involved in the development of Hatred (beyond the fact that the game uses its engine), and that it never tries to exert "creative control" or censorship over projects that use its technology.

However, the Hatred gameplay trailer used the Unreal Engine 4 logo without permission, and Epic Games wants it removed from the video and other marketing materials.