The multiplayer extraction RPG Dark and Darker has encountered another setback in its tumultuous journey through digital distribution platforms. Developer Ironmace announced that Epic Games has delisted the title from its store, creating yet another hurdle for the game that has already faced significant legal challenges since its debut.
Legal Dispute Continues to Impact Availability
Ironmace revealed through their Discord channel that Epic Games has removed Dark and Darker from its storefront. According to the developer, the decision appears to be based on claims made by opposing parties in an ongoing legal dispute. While Ironmace didn't explicitly name these opposing parties, the context strongly suggests continued legal pressure from Nexon, the publisher that has been in conflict with Ironmace since the game's early development.
Recent Court Ruling Provides Context
This removal follows a February ruling by a South Korean court that, while clearing Ironmace of copyright infringement allegations, found the studio liable for infringement on trade secrets. This decision resulted in Ironmace being ordered to pay 8.5 billion won (approximately USD $5.9 million) to Nexon. Despite this partial victory for Ironmace, Nexon has indicated plans to seek further legal judgment through a higher court, suggesting the dispute is far from resolved.
Dark and Darker Game Details:
- Type: Multiplayer extraction RPG
- Developer: Ironmace
- Features: Co-op dungeon crawling, DnD-style classes, PvP elements
- Current availability: Free on Steam, removed from Epic Games Store
- Premium upgrade: "Legendary Status" (USD $30 / £23.25)
Legal Dispute Timeline:
- Initial allegations: Nexon claimed Ironmace used "stolen" code from a cancelled project
- February 2025: South Korean court ruled Ironmace did not commit copyright infringement but did infringe on trade secrets
- Settlement amount: 8.5 billion won (approximately USD $5.9 million)
- Current status: Nexon plans to appeal to a higher court
Unusual Delisting Situation
The removal process appears incomplete, creating a confusing situation for players. While the base version of Dark and Darker is no longer available for new downloads on the Epic Games Store, the premium Dark and Darker: Legendary Status upgrade remains purchasable. This inconsistency has prompted Ironmace to warn players about potential confusion while they work to understand the exact reasoning behind the removal.
Steam Availability Continues
For players concerned about access to the game, Dark and Darker remains available on Steam as a free-to-play title. This represents a significant difference from a previous delisting incident in 2023 when legal pressure from Nexon resulted in the game being removed from Steam entirely. The game eventually returned to both Steam and the Epic Games Store in mid-2024, making this recent Epic-specific removal particularly noteworthy.
Looking Ahead
Ironmace has stated they are working on alternative solutions to ensure that players can continue enjoying the game on Epic's platform, though specific details haven't been provided. The developer promised to share more information as soon as possible.
The situation highlights the ongoing challenges faced by independent developers when navigating complex intellectual property disputes, especially when those disputes involve larger, established publishers with significant legal resources. For now, players who purchased Dark and Darker through Epic may need to monitor Ironmace's communications for updates on future access options.