gamona: Was there any specific moment or a specific event that preceded your decision to create Hatred ?
Jarosław Zieliński: Well, there was no particular moment. I always wanted to make a spiritual successor of the first Postal game. Many years have passed and then the perfect moment arrived. I gathered the team and funds and there we go. Anyway - it's just one of some projects I've had in mind, but the only one we can afford right now.
gamona: A lot of games out there allow their players to randomly kill people, but those aren't nearly criticized as much as Hatred. Do you have any explanation for that? Is there any difference between games like Grand Theft Auto and Hatred?
Jarosław Zieliński: In Hatred we don't justify the players deeds in any way. This is the main gameplay feature – killing. We are not trying to mask it by any "higher values" at all. Killing is always evil, therefore we decided to make an evil game about killing. By the way - in GTA you always play a greedy criminal who kills to get money. I still prefer the honest way of Hatred's main character - he kills because of his hate.
gamona: A lot of gamers are worried, that Hatred might be exactly the kind of game, that gives the mainstream press the fuel to brand all gamers as violence loving, rough and aggressive people. Do you understand those concerns?
Jarosław Zieliński: No, they're simply exaggerating. Let's face it - most games are about killing, we're just telling it straight. There is also no simple, plain evidence suggesting that games are pushing people to go on a killing spree. Such controversy as ours happened before and will happen again. And we gamers and developers are still standing here, aren't we?
gamona: Did you make certain enquiries about mass shootings, like watching actual footage of rampages?
Jarosław Zieliński: No. It's not some kind of simulator, it's an arcade game, for Satan's sake. I would rather mention movies like Rampage or Natural Born Killers. You have to know that mass shootings aren't a problem in our country, so we're not especially touchy about them.
gamona: What would you say to someone who lost a loved one in a mass shooting and feels hurt by your game, who can't understand how anyone can develop a game where the player is supposed to shoot as many innocent people as possible?
Jarosław Zieliński: Innocent virtual people. That's the main point. Nobody get's harmed by our game. Anyway - war is a terrible experience for all soldiers out there, what would you say to them while playing Battlefield? But the difference is that soldiers are tough guys, not some moaning pussies, so they don't complain about their experiences being reference for virtual entertainment. Back to the beginning of your question: I'm really sorry for anyone who has lost beloved ones, but it doesn't have anything to do with our game.