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2025-06-18 09:48:00
Dark and Darker Pulled from epic Games Store
The PVPVE game is facing a major setback as Epic Games removes it from its store and user libraries.
- Epic Games removed “Dark and Darker” from its store on March 5, 2025, due to a court decision.
- The game will be removed from user libraries on November 1, 2025.
- “Dark and Darker” remains available on Steam for now.
The saga of “Dark and Darker” continues to unfold, wiht recent developments signaling a rocky road ahead for the game. In a surprise move, Epic Games has decided to distance itself from the title, removing it from its store. This decision comes amidst an ongoing legal battle between developer Ironmace and Korean publisher Nexon regarding copyrighted material, significantly impacting the game’s availability.
Delving Deeper into the Legal Battle
the removal of “Dark and Darker” from the Epic games Store is a direct consequence of an ongoing legal dispute. This fight pits Ironmace against Nexon, adding a layer of complexity to the game’s already challenging existence. let’s unpack the core of this lawsuit and its potential ramifications for both the game and its players.
The Heart of the Matter: copyright infringement
The central accusation leveled by Nexon is that Ironmace, the developers of “Dark and Darker,” illicitly used copyrighted assets and code from a project codenamed “P3” developed by Nexon. This claim, if proven true, could have significant repercussions regarding the game’s future [[2]].
Nexon alleges that key individuals,including Ironmace’s founder,stole trade secrets and used them to create “Dark and Darker.” If this is the case, Nexon woudl have grounds to claim copyright infringement and seek damages. The lawsuit’s outcome hinges on whether evidence supports these claims. The core of the case revolves around allegations of stolen trade secrets and the unauthorized use of intellectual property [[2]].
The case is complicated by the fact that a U.S. court dismissed a local copyright lawsuit filed by Nexon [[1]]. However, the main copyright lawsuit in Korea remains active.
The Situation on Steam
for now, “Dark and Darker” remains available on Steam. The game’s presence on Steam offers a glimmer of hope for players seeking to continue exploring its dungeons and battling its monstrous inhabitants. However, the situation is evolving. The future on Steam depends on the outcome of the primary copyright lawsuit in Korea [[1]].
Potential Outcomes and Their Impact
The legal battle’s results will dramatically shape “Dark and Darker’s” future.Let’s review the potential scenarios:
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Nexon Wins: If Nexon is accomplished in its claims, “Dark and Darker” could face further removal from othre platforms, perhaps even from Steam. this scenario likely would result in significant legal penalties for Ironmace, including damages. The lawsuit may lead to altering or discontinuing the game currently. The fate of the game would then rest on whether Ironmace could settle or license the intellectual property from Nexon.
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Ironmace Wins: Victory for Ironmace would solidify “Dark and Darker’s” position in the market. Though the game would still have competition, this outcome would ensure its continued availability and give the developers the freedom to develop future content and updates.
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Settlement: A settlement between Nexon and Ironmace is by far the most common, and most likely outcome. This could involve Ironmace licensing the assets, or a financial agreement. With an agreement in place, “Dark and Darker” could be salvaged without fully being eliminated.
What does this mean for players?
The ongoing legal battle significantly impacts the game’s availability and future updates. Players must stay informed about the legal proceedings. The legal outcome could severely disrupt their gameplay experience and investment in the title.
Furthermore, whether any assets or code was reused is still in question. Around 95% of the in-game assets are sourced from the UE Store, and are not from the contested “P3” project [[3]]. This is a positive aspect for Ironmace and the game’s survival, as the assets are less likely to be the result of content theft claims.
Frequently asked Questions
Q: Is “Dark and Darker” still available to play?
A: Yes, the game is still available on Steam for now, but its future is uncertain.
Q: What is the primary accusation in the Nexon lawsuit?
A: The lawsuit alleges copyright infringement, claiming Ironmace used Nexon’s intellectual property without authorization.
Q: What could happen if Nexon wins the lawsuit?
A: If Nexon prevails, the game could be removed from stores, and Ironmace could face serious financial penalties.
Q: What happens if Ironmace wins the court case?
A: If Ironmace is successful, it validates the game’s legitimacy. This would allow the studio to move forward with additional content.
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