Only Up!: The Controversial Climbing Game That Took Twitch by Storm

Introduction

Only Up! is a 2023 indie platformer video game developed and published by SCKR Games. The game was released on Steam on May 24, 2023, and quickly became one of the top 10 games on the livestreaming platform Twitch. However, the game was taken out of the Steam marketplace on June 30, 2023, due to the game having copyrighted assets.

Gameplay

In Only Up!, the player controls a character named Jackie who must climb a seemingly endless tower of objects. The objects range from pipes to bridges to trampolines, and the player must use their agility and reflexes to avoid falling. The game becomes increasingly difficult as the player climbs higher, and even the slightest mistake can send the player plummeting back to the bottom.

One of the unique features of Only Up! is the ability to slow down time. This can be helpful when making a difficult jump or when trying to avoid a hazard. The game also features a variety of power-ups that can help the player climb higher, such as a jetpack and a grappling hook.

Criticism

Despite its popularity, Only Up! was not without its critics. Some players accused the game of being a rip-off of other platformers, such as Getting Over It with Bennett Foddy and Celeste. Others criticized the game’s difficulty, calling it unfair and frustrating.

Copyright Issues

The game’s most serious issue was its use of copyrighted assets. The game’s developers were accused of using assets from other games, without permission. This led to the game being taken out of the Steam marketplace on June 30, 2023.

Future of Only Up!

The future of Only Up! is uncertain. The game’s developers have not announced any plans to release the game on another platform. However, the game’s popularity on Twitch suggests that there is still a demand for the game. It is possible that the game may be released again in the future, once the copyright issues have been resolved.

• The game was inspired by the fairytale “Jack and the Beanstalk”.
• The game contains hundreds of Easter eggs and various references.
• The game was removed from Steam due to copyright infringement.
• The game is currently not available for purchase, but it may be released again in the future.

Here are some additional details about the game’s gameplay:

• The player can control the character’s movement with the keyboard or controller.
• The player can jump by pressing the spacebar.
• The player can slow down time by pressing the left shift key.
• The player can collect power-ups to help them climb higher, such as a jetpack and a grappling hook.
• The player can die by falling off the tower or by colliding with an obstacle.

The game’s difficulty is very challenging, and even experienced players will find it difficult to reach the top of the tower. However, the game’s addictive gameplay and unique features make it a lot of fun to play.

The game’s controversy is due to the fact that the developers used assets from other games without permission. This led to the game being taken down from Steam, and it is unclear if it will ever be released again.

Despite the controversy, Only Up! is a well-made game with a lot of potential. If the developers can address the copyright issues, I believe that the game could be a success in the future.

Conclusion

Only Up! is a fascinating case study in the gaming industry. The game’s meteoric rise to popularity and its subsequent downfall demonstrate the power of social media and streaming platforms to launch new games into the mainstream. However, the game’s copyright issues also highlight the importance of intellectual property protection in the gaming industry.

Only Up!: FAQ

• What is Only Up!? Only Up! is a 2023 indie platformer video game developed and published by SCKR Games. The game was released on Steam on May 24, 2023, and quickly became one of the top 10 games on the livestreaming platform Twitch. However, the game was taken out of the Steam marketplace on June 30, 2023, due to the game having copyrighted assets.
• What is the gameplay of Only Up!? In Only Up!, the player controls a character named Jackie who must climb a seemingly endless tower of objects. The objects range from pipes to bridges to trampolines, and the player must use their agility and reflexes to avoid falling. The game becomes increasingly difficult as the player climbs higher, and even the slightest mistake can send the player plummeting back to the bottom.
• What are the unique features of Only Up!? One of the unique features of Only Up! is the ability to slow down time. This can be helpful when making a difficult jump or when trying to avoid a hazard. The game also features a variety of power-ups that can help the player climb higher, such as a jetpack and a grappling hook.
• What is the controversy surrounding Only Up!? Despite its popularity, Only Up! was not without its critics. Some players accused the game of being a rip-off of other platformers, such as Getting Over It with Bennett Foddy and Celeste. Others criticized the game’s difficulty, calling it unfair and frustrating.
• What is the future of Only Up!? The future of Only Up! is uncertain. The game’s developers have not announced any plans to release the game on another platform. However, the game’s popularity on Twitch suggests that there is still a demand for the game. It is possible that the game may be released again in the future, once the copyright issues have been resolved.