Yo ho, yo ho, Australian readers!

In response to the Australian Classification Board’s refusal to classify Hotline Miami 2: Wrong Number, Dennaton Games have given Australians permission to pirate the sequel if it never reaches the continent.

In an email to a fan who wondered if there was a way to circumvent the board’s decision, the result of which is that the game won’t be sold in Australia unless a rape scene is removed, Hotline Miami programmer Jonatan Söderström wrote, “If it ends up being not released in Australia, just pirate it after release. No need to send us any money, just enjoy the game!”

Representatives of publisher Devolver Digital have assured Ars Technica that Australians are allowed to pirate the game. “I can confirm he [Jonatan Söderström] wants people to enjoy the game.” The fictional Fork Parker, a Dennaton Games Twitter account, has further confirmed that the email is real.

[Editor’s note: it’s important to point out that while the legal owners of the game are allowing Australians to pirate it, it may still be illegal to do so, depending on the laws where you live.]