Dark and Darker Gets Taken Down from Steam
Dark and Darker is a unique game that combines classic dungeon crawling with survival extraction game.
09-04-2023 13:30
Dark and Darker, the popular action RPG, is in hot water as it has been removed from Steam following a cease-and-desist order from Korean publisher Nexon. The game's developer, Ironmace, has been facing legal trouble since allegations of stolen assets and code surfaced. Dark and Darker is a unique game that combines classic dungeon crawling with survival extraction gameplay similar to Escape from Tarkov. In the game, players are thrown into a competitive dungeon where they must survive until a portal opens, and they can escape. The game has gained immense popularity during its open beta, quickly becoming one of the top games on Steam. This success has not gone unnoticed by Nexon, who has been accusing Ironmace of stealing assets and code from their P3 project to develop Dark and Darker.
Ironmace has denied these allegations, but the legal battle has intensified, with Korean police recently raiding the company's headquarters. On March 24, a cease and desist was issued, resulting in the game being removed from Steam overnight. Players noticed that online functionality, assets, and screenshots were removed, and the game is no longer available on the platform.
This delisting from Steam is a significant blow to Dark and Darker, which is still undergoing beta testing. In order to get the game relisted, Ironmace will need to file a Counter-Notice with Steam, consenting to the jurisdiction of a US Federal Court and explaining why Dark and Darker was improperly flagged. Nexon will then have fourteen days to sue Ironmace in US Federal Court, but a settlement agreement is likely to avoid expensive litigation.
Dark and Darker is a beloved indie gem that has gained a dedicated following. The legal battle between Ironmace and Nexon has put the game's future in jeopardy. However, the RPG and dungeon crawling community is eagerly waiting to see what will happen next.
While the situation is uncertain, one thing is clear - the outcome of this legal battle will have far-reaching implications for the indie game development community. For now, we wait with bated breath to see what the future holds for Dark and Darker and its developers at Ironmace. But while waiting, we don’t forget you! As ByNoGame, we publish instant news in the "News" tab so that you can be instantly informed about the latest developments. 
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