Dark and Darker Emerges Victorious: Nexon's Lawsuit Dismissed
In a surprising turn of events, the legal battle between Ironmace, the developer behind the medieval looter Dark and Darker, and its former publisher Nexon has taken a new twist. Ironmace recently revealed that the court has dismissed Nexon's request for an injunction, marking a significant victory for the indie developer. The lawsuit, which involved allegations of stolen code and copyright infringement, has been a source of turmoil for both parties.
The announcement came via Ironmace's official Discord server, where an Ironmace developer known as SDF shared the news with the player community. The court dismissed Nexon's request for an injunction related to Dark And Darker Gold "trade secret and copyright infringement." This decision essentially rejects the claims that Dark and Darker was developed using Nexon's trade secrets and infringed on its copyrights.
The court's ruling also extended to the suspension of Dark and Darker's service, stating that it "should not be suspended based on Nexon's claims and evidence alone." This opens the door for a potential return to Steam for Dark and Darker, reinstating the game to the platform from which it was removed amid the legal disputes.
According to SDF's statement, Nexon's allegations revolved around the claim that Dark and Darker was developed using stolen code from a game that Ironmace had been creating for Nexon. The court's decision has refuted these claims, providing a significant legal victory for Ironmace.
While the court's dismissal of Nexon's injunction request is a notable triumph for Ironmace, there remains a disappointment regarding the court's decision on Nexon's unfair competition claim. SDF explained that Nexon did not submit its own game, codenamed P3, as evidence, despite alleging that Dark and Darker was developed from P3's code. This aspect of the court's decision was described as disappointing by the Ironmace developer.
SDF acknowledged the limitations of evidence examination in the provisional injunction procedure, noting that a more thorough investigation of evidence is needed in the main lawsuit to uncover the truth. The statement conveyed optimism that a deeper examination of evidence in the main lawsuit would reveal the innocence of Ironmace and the unfounded nature of Nexon's claims.
The developer concluded by expressing gratitude to players worldwide for their support throughout this legal ordeal. Ironmace pledged to invest effort in developing Dark and Darker into a robust game that can be serviced for more than a decade, emphasizing its commitment to the game's longevity.
As of now, Nexon has not made any public comments on the court's ruling or confirmed whether it intends to appeal the decision. The future of Dark and Darker seems to be looking brighter, with the game back online in early access. Ironmace has chosen to sell the game directly from its own website and through the digital storefront Chaf Games after creating its own launcher, named Blacksmith.
It's worth noting that Dark and Darker has made headlines for reasons beyond its legal battles. The game is set to expand its reach to mobile platforms, as PUBG: Battlegrounds publisher Krafton has acquired the rights to bring the RPG to mobile devices. Krafton praised Dark and Darker's "potential and distinct creativity," highlighting Ironmace's ability to tap into something compelling.
In a surprising twist of diversification, Dark and Darker has even entered the world of commodities, boasting its own coffee. This unexpected move showcases Ironmace's commitment to buy Dark And Darker Gold making Dark and Darker more than just a game but a brand with a unique identity.
As the legal dust settles, the future of Dark and Darker appears to be on a path of redemption and growth, with the indie developer determined to overcome the challenges and deliver a gaming experience that stands the test of time.