Unearthing the Shadows: Early Access for Dark and Darker Comes with a Twist

Home Games Dark and Darker Releases in Early Access, But There’s a Catch

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Published 4 hours ago

Developer Ironmace has released Dark and Darker, an indie dungeon crawler game, for PC in early access. However, fans may have to go through extra steps to get their hands on it. The game is not available on Steam due to an ongoing lawsuit with Nexon, a Korean company known for publishing MapleStory.

Highlights

• Dark and Darker is a multiplayer roguelike battle royale game with PvPvE combat and extraction gameplay.
• Players can download Dark and Darker from the official website or Chaf Games, but it’s not available in Ironmace’s home country yet.
• The Standard Edition of Dark and Darker costs $35, while the Founder’s Edition is priced at $50 and comes with additional in-game content.

The Game

Dark and Darker is a multiplayer dungeon crawler developed by the Korean studio Ironmace. It offers a unique combination of roguelike exploration and battle royale gameplay. Players can choose from seven character classes and engage in PvPvE combat, where they fight monsters for loot while fending off other players. The game also falls into the extraction genre, alongside titles like Escape from Tarkov, Hunt: Showdown, and Bungie’s upcoming Marathon reboot.

The Lawsuit

Ironmace, the developer of Dark and Darker, is currently embroiled in a lawsuit with Nexon. The accusations revolve around plagiarism, with Nexon claiming that Ironmace’s employees stole assets from a canceled game called P3 before using them to create Dark and Darker. Ironmace vehemently denies these allegations and has labeled them as baseless. The studio’s lawyers have accused Nexon of employing anti-competitive tactics and attempting to bankrupt Ironmace.

Ironmace’s Legal Troubles

The legal challenges faced by Ironmace have resulted in Dark and Darker not being available on Steam. Valve, the company behind Steam, removed the game from its platform due to the ongoing lawsuit. However, Ironmace’s CEO, Terence Park, has not given up hope of Dark and Darker returning to Steam. The company’s lawyers have requested Valve to reinstate the game and continue to seek a resolution to the legal battle with Nexon.

Acquiring Dark and Darker

Players who wish to play Dark and Darker can currently download it from the official website at www.darkanddarker.com or a storefront called Chaf Games. However, some users have expressed concerns about the security of the Chaf Games platform. It is important to note that Dark and Darker is not yet available in Ironmace’s home country as it has not received a rating from the Korean Game Rating Board.

Editorial

The legal battle between Ironmace and Nexon raises important questions about intellectual property rights in the gaming industry. Plagiarism and the theft of assets are serious accusations that can have severe consequences for developers and their reputations. It is crucial for game studios to prioritize ethical practices and respect copyright laws to maintain a fair and competitive industry.

The removal of Dark and Darker from Steam highlights the influence that major platforms like Steam have over the success and accessibility of games. Steam is the largest PC storefront in the world, and exclusion from the platform can significantly impact a game’s visibility and player base. It’s essential for developers and platforms to work together transparently and resolve legal disputes efficiently to ensure a fair landscape for both developers and gamers.

Advice for Players

If you’re interested in playing Dark and Darker, you can currently download it from the official website or Chaf Games. However, it’s important to exercise caution when using alternative storefronts and ensure that the platform you choose is secure and trustworthy. Additionally, keeping an eye on the ongoing legal proceedings between Ironmace and Nexon can provide insights into the future availability of the game on prominent platforms like Steam.

As players, it’s crucial to support game developers who prioritize ethical practices and respect for copyright laws. By doing so, we can contribute to a healthier and more vibrant gaming industry.

Sources: PC Gamer