The largest German Twitch streamer Marcel “MontanaBlack” Eris has introduced his own game for iOS, Android, and PC. However, some of his fans criticize that the game “MontanaBlack – Kylo’s Liberation” is too expensive at €4.99. They would prefer a free-to-play variant. MontanaBlack defends his game against the initial accusations of it being a scam.
This is the situation:
- MontanaBlack has become the largest German streamer on Twitch with streams of Fortnite, FIFA, Call of Duty, and gambling. His life story as an former junkie who made it big on YouTube, and his presence impress many viewers.
- Now MontanaBlack presents his own game “MontanaBlack – Kylo’s Liberation” which can be purchased in the App Store for €4.99. Currently, pre-registration is still ongoing on Google Play. MontanaBlack has also announced that the game will be released for PC.
- The offer sparks a discussion with his fans on Twitter. Some wish that the game would rather be free-to-play. However, MontanaBlack explains why that wouldn’t be financially viable for him.
“I’m not paying 80% taxes – I will destroy you”
This is the game: The game is an action sidescroller where the player controls MontanaBlack.
The backstory states: The tax office wants to force MontanaBlack to pay 80% taxes. Because the streamer refuses, the tax office takes away his dog Kylo.
This alludes to several inside jokes: It’s well known how much MontanaBlack cares for his dog and how much he complains about the tax burden in Germany. Recently, he openly entertained the idea of emigrating to Malta, because the state is restricting him with new streaming regulations and because of the high tax burden in Germany.
In the first images of the game, a gambling machine also appears. MontanaBlack’s enthusiasm for casinos is well-known. With gambling streams on Twitch, he was immensely successful in 2019, but later stopped. However, he plans to restart casino streams should he actually move to Malta.
The special gag of the game, which MontanaBlack also highlights on Twitter, are the different outfits that players can dress their MontanaBlack in:
- Get on my Level Camo Jogger Suit – “Get on my Level” is the clothing brand that MontanaBlack sells through his shop
- Bloody Contract Killer Outfit – apparently references films like Reservoir Dogs or Boondock Saints
- V.69 Cyborg Suit
- Mercenary Gear
- Standard Streamer Outfit – Muscle shirt and jogging pants
- Best Basic Outfit – Gold chain and baseball cap
The game weighs 754.5 MB in the App Store. The developer of the game, “Moonrunner GmbH”, has also created a mobile game for the German YouTuber Simon Deuse. In its presentation, the “Monte mobile game”, as the streamer calls it, strongly resembles games like “Mr Autofire.”
This is the discussion: Under the announcement of the game on Twitter, comments quickly emerged criticizing the price of €4.99 for the game. Many fans of MontanaBlack apparently would have preferred a free version with an in-game store, common in mobile games:
- A user says: “Looks pretty bad, for that you want me to pay 5-6 euros? Then better make it free-to-play, with ads, so that I can go into airplane mode.”
- “€5 a bit expensive tbh bro”
- “Scam. Again a means to get money from minors.”
However, there are also some users who announce that they will buy the game because they want to “support” MontanaBlack.
This is how MontanaBlack defends his game: The streamer says:
- Testers took 7 to 8 hours to complete the game. He thinks €5 for 7 to 8 hours of gameplay is fair.
- Regarding the proposal to offer the game as free-to-play, he states: There are also costs in development. Many want to make money with such a game in the end. In-game purchases would not cover the costs in the end. There is a risk that not all employees could be paid.
- He also mentions: Those who do not want to spend money on the game don’t have to. By charging €4.99, they cover the costs for development. However, they forgo ads or in-game purchases.
The topic seems to polarize his fans:
- Some believe MontanaBlack should have taken the initiative: They apparently want, on principle not to pay for a mobile game when there are so many good free alternatives available.
- Others defend MontanaBlack: By making the game paid, they ensure that there are no “in-game purchases” in the game that drain even more money.
A user states: Game time is not an argument. He spent 50 hours for free on Clash of Clans.
MontanaBlack occasionally finds himself in conflict with Twitch. His ban in 2020 caused quite a stir:
