Will Dark and Darker Be Extended? The Complete Guide
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The question of whether Dark and Darker will see an extension to its playtests or early access periods is a common one, given the game’s turbulent development history. The short answer is that historically, playtests have sometimes been extended, but recently this has not been the case. In particular, the April 2023 Alpha Playtest 5 was explicitly confirmed not to be extended. Currently, the game is in Early Access, and while there are regular updates and patches, including progress wipes, there is no indication of an extension to the planned early access period. To fully understand the nuances, let’s dive deeper into the game’s journey, exploring past events and what they mean for future development.
The History of Dark and Darker Playtests
Dark and Darker, a game blending the intensity of RPGs, roguelikes, and multiplayer action, has had a complicated path to its current state. Early in its development cycle, playtests were a crucial part of gathering feedback and shaping the game. Ironmace, the developer, initially used Steam as a primary platform for these playtests, giving many players their first taste of the gritty, medieval fantasy world.
Past Playtest Extensions
Initially, Ironmace demonstrated flexibility with their playtest schedules. The developers previously extended the playtest window by a few days past the originally planned end time. This strategy allowed them to gather more data, test more thoroughly, and address early issues. However, this practice has been less consistent as development has progressed and the game faced legal challenges.
The April 2023 Playtest and No Extension
The April 2023 Alpha Playtest 5 ran from April 14th to April 19th, and this is when a major change occurred in policy. In contrast to earlier playtests, Ironmace explicitly confirmed there would be no extension to this playtest. This decision was likely influenced by the ongoing legal battles and the game’s removal from Steam, which forced the team to re-evaluate their strategies for distribution and testing.
The Impact of Legal Issues and Steam Removal
The unusual Steam removal of Dark and Darker was the result of a legal battle with the major game publisher Nexon. Nexon filed a DMCA takedown notice, citing copyright infringement claims. This resulted in the game being delisted from Steam in March, a setback that forced Ironmace to pivot to its own launcher and third-party platforms for distribution.
The Lawsuit Dismissal
Despite the tumultuous period, Ironmace has since won a major victory in court. A US court dismissed Nexon’s lawsuit against Ironmace and its co-founders. The lawsuit and the subsequent removal from Steam occurred while the game was experiencing significant viral success. The legal battle revolved around claims of stolen trade secrets and copyright infringement, allegations that Ironmace has repeatedly denied, stating that “ABSOLUTELY NO stolen assets or code were used.”
Dark and Darker Early Access and Future Updates
Currently, Dark and Darker is available in Early Access through Ironmace’s official website, via their own launcher known as Blacksmith, and through a partnership with ChafGames. The shift from Steam to these platforms has had a lasting impact on the game’s development and accessibility.
Ongoing Development and Patches
Ironmace continues to work on Dark and Darker during its Early Access period, focusing on improvements and refinements. This includes a number of patches and hotfixes designed to enhance gameplay and address player feedback. Progress wipes are also part of the early access model, ensuring a balanced playing field as the game evolves.
No Indication of Extended Early Access
While the game will continue to receive updates and improvements, there is currently no indication of an extension to the early access period. It is likely that Ironmace is focusing on preparing the game for a full launch, rather than prolonging the early access phase indefinitely.
Dark and Darker Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 15 Frequently Asked Questions about Dark and Darker that further explore its current state and future prospects:
1. What type of game is Dark and Darker?
Dark and Darker is a dark medieval fantasy game that blends elements from RPGs, roguelikes, and multiplayer video games. It is often described as an extraction game, placing emphasis on players entering dungeons, looting items, and escaping with their treasures, fighting both other players and AI-controlled enemies along the way.
2. How many players can be in a Dark and Darker match?
A standard match in Dark and Darker can accommodate up to six teams, totaling 18 players. However, the High-Roller map can hold up to 20 players.
3. Where can I download Dark and Darker?
The game is not available on popular platforms like Steam, Epic, or GoG. Instead, players can download Dark and Darker through Ironmace’s official website using the Blacksmith launcher or through ChafGames.
4. Is Dark and Darker only available on PC?
Yes, Dark and Darker is currently a PC-only game.
5. Is Dark and Darker similar to Escape from Tarkov?
While both games share the extraction genre, Dark and Darker features a fantasy setting with a focus on close-quarters combat in dungeons, whereas Escape from Tarkov is a modern-day shooter with more extensive weapon customization.
6. Is Dark and Darker similar to Hunt: Showdown?
Yes, Dark and Darker is indeed described as an extraction game, a subgenre that includes games like Escape from Tarkov and Hunt: Showdown.
7. Did Dark and Darker lose the lawsuit?
No. The US District Court dismissed Nexon’s lawsuit against Ironmace, a significant victory for the game’s developers.
8. What were the main claims of the lawsuit against Dark and Darker?
The lawsuit made two claims: Misappropriation of Trade Secrets and Copyright Infringement, alleging that Ironmace had stolen confidential company information and used it to create the game.
9. Is Dark and Darker considered a stolen game?
Ironmace has vehemently denied claims of stolen assets or code, asserting that their game was built from scratch with purchased assets.
10. What is the “Dark and Darker controversy?”
The controversy stems from the legal dispute with Nexon, which accused Ironmace of using stolen code to create Dark and Darker.
11. Why was Dark and Darker removed from Steam?
The game was removed from Steam following a cease and desist demand from Korean publisher Nexon due to the aforementioned legal dispute.
12. Will there be wipes in Dark and Darker?
Yes, Dark and Darker does implement progress wipes throughout its Early Access period to maintain a level playing field as the game evolves.
13. Is Dark and Darker GPU or CPU heavy?
Dark and Darker is more CPU-intensive, meaning that a processor with strong single-core performance will likely provide a better experience.
14. Why can’t I find Dark and Darker on popular platforms?
The game was removed from Steam due to legal issues, and Ironmace now distributes it directly through its own launcher and through ChafGames.
15. What are some tips for getting better at Dark and Darker?
Practice with different weapons to learn attack animations, avoid friendly fire, sell loot frequently, purchase healing items, learn to open portals, aim for the head in combat, and loot faster.
Conclusion
While Dark and Darker has faced its share of challenges, including legal battles and the subsequent removal from Steam, the game has persevered and is now in Early Access. Past playtests did sometimes receive extensions, but this is no longer the case, with the April 2023 playtest being a prime example. With its unique blend of genres and gameplay, the game continues to develop and refine, providing a challenging and engaging experience for its players. As the game progresses through Early Access, players can look forward to ongoing updates and improvements as Ironmace aims for a full release, but at present, it is unlikely that the Early Access period itself will be extended.