Is Dark and Darker in Legal Trouble?
Dark and Darker, a fantasy extraction game, is indeed in legal trouble due to a copyright infringement lawsuit filed by Nexon, a major game publisher, alleging that the game’s developer, Ironmace, stole trade secrets and code from Nexon’s Project P3. The lawsuit led to the game’s removal from Steam, but a US court has recently dismissed the case, ruling that it should be heard in South Korea, which is considered the correct jurisdiction.
Understanding the Lawsuit
The lawsuit against Dark and Darker’s developer, Ironmace, was filed by Nexon in 2021, alleging that the game used illegally obtained materials from Nexon’s Project P3. Ironmace has denied these allegations, claiming that the lawsuit is a bullying tactic meant to hurt Dark and Darker as it gained viral success.
Frequently Asked Questions
General Questions
- Is the Dark and Darker lawsuit over?: The lawsuit against Dark and Darker’s developer has been dismissed in the US, but it will continue in South Korea, where the court will decide whether the game used copyrighted materials from Nexon’s Project P3.
- Is Dark and Darker banned?: The game was removed from Steam due to a DMCA takedown notice from Nexon, but it is still available for purchase and play through Ironmace’s official website and the Chaf Games digital store.
- What is the controversy surrounding the lawsuit against Nexon?: The controversy surrounds the allegations of stolen trade secrets and code to create Dark and Darker, and the mixed reactions to the dismissal of the lawsuit in the US.
Game Availability and Purchasing
- Where can I buy Dark and Darker?: The game is available for purchase through Ironmace’s official website and the Chaf Games digital store, but not on Steam, Epic, or GoG.
- How much will Dark and Darker cost?: The game costs $30-$40, with a founder’s edition available for $50.
- Is Dark and Darker free to play?: No, the game is not free to play, and players must purchase it to play.
Lawsuit and Legal Status
- Is Ironmace winning the lawsuit?: The US court has dismissed the case, ruling that South Korea is the correct jurisdiction, which can be seen as a victory for Ironmace.
- Who won the Dark and Darker lawsuit?: The lawsuit has not been fully resolved, as it will continue in South Korea, where the court will decide the outcome.
- What is the resolution of the Dark and Darker lawsuit?: The US court has dismissed the case, ruling that South Korea is the correct jurisdiction.
Game Development and Updates
- What happened to Dark & Darker?: The game was removed from Steam due to a DMCA takedown notice from Nexon, but it is still available for purchase and play through other channels.
- Will Dark and Darker come back to Steam?: The game’s complex legal status makes it unlikely to appear on Steam anytime soon, but any eventual resolution of the case will decide its distribution.
- Did they extend Dark and Darker?: The playtest for Dark and Darker has been extended to make up for servers being down and players receiving bans in error during the event.
Refunds and Customer Support
- How do I get a refund from Dark and Darker?: Players can contact Ironmace’s support team to request a refund within 14 days of purchase, as stated in the game’s terms and conditions.
- What happened with Dark and Darker on Reddit?: The game’s developer, Ironmace, posted an update on Reddit stating that they had received a cease and desist letter and DMCA takedown notice from Nexon, and were working to resolve the issue.
Platform and Device Support
- Is Dark and Darker on Xbox?: No, the game is currently only available on PC, and can be purchased and played through Ironmace’s official website and the Chaf Games digital store.