Indie Developer Passes Away, Makes All Their Games Free As "Parting Gift”

Indie developer Squid In A Box, real name Rob Hale, sadly passed away earlier this month as a result of cancer complications. Following their death, as PC Gamer writes, their games, the arcade twin-stick shooters Waves and Waves 2: Notorious, have been made free to download on Steam as “a parting gift”.

Hale’s passing and the decision to make their games free were shared in an announcement by their partner, CJ, on the Steam forums: “This was something Rob was considering anyway within the past two months as their health entered into more substantial difficulties, so I hope this can be seen as a parting gift to all those out there that haven’t yet played either of these games,” CJ wrote. 

“Rob was very passionate about their work, and ever so dedicated, over the years we were together they were always dreaming big and trying so hard to create the best game they could possibly make,” they continued. “This did mean that sometimes Rob would shoot for the moon and miss, and it does mean that unfortunately, Waves 2 will definitely remain incomplete. But that doesn’t take away from my awe and the pride I always had in Rob; to see someone so dedicated to their craft.

“So I hope all of you out there, whoever you are and however Rob’s games have reached you, that you can at the very least hold a special place for the Waves games, and that they continue to bring you many more hours of chill, challenge, and possibly even frustration, but most of all I hope that you can continue to feel the passion and love that Rob poured into these games long after the pain of their passing begins to fade.”

Our thoughts go out to Hale's family and friends at this difficult time - may they rest in peace.