Dark & Darker isn’t just getting delisted. It’s getting deleted. Epic Games is taking the unusual step of removing the game not only from their store but from user libraries entirely, making it unplayable through Epic after November 1, 2025. That raises an important question: when a legal dispute over a game isn’t fully resolved, is it fair to revoke access to the game?
A Legal Battle With Unfinished Business
The dispute centers around Dark & Darker developer Ironmace and Korean publisher Nexon. Nexon sued Ironmace for using assets and trade secrets from a canceled project called “P3”. A project some of Ironmace’s team worked on before leaving Nexon. While a Korean court dismissed the copyright claims, it did rule that Ironmace misused trade secrets, ordering the studio to pay $6 million in damages.
Both Ironmace and Nexon are appealing the decision, meaning this legal battle is far from over. But Epic isn’t waiting for the final verdict. They delisted the game from their store in March and are now planning to remove it from libraries entirely in compliance with the Korean court’s decision.
Ironmace, caught off guard, told players to migrate their data to the studio’s own launcher, Blacksmith, if they want to keep playing. Refunds will be issued for some purchases like Legendary Status upgrades, but others, like in-game currency, will not be refunded.
When a Platform Becomes a Gatekeeper
If someone unknowingly purchases a stolen necklace from a flea market, law enforcement could confiscate it if the original owner is identified. That logic could justify Epic’s decision. If Ironmace really did use stolen material, then keeping the game on their platform might pose legal and ethical risks.
But here’s the complication: the appeals process is ongoing. The final outcome hasn’t been decided. So Epic isn’t reacting to a closed case. They’re responding to an open one. From that perspective, the decision to remove access entirely feels premature. What happens if Ironmace ultimately wins their appeal? Would Epic face legal consequences for delisting the game early? Would players be compensated or just forgotten?
Steam’s Inaction Makes This Murkier
While Epic is taking aggressive action, Steam has not. The game remains available there, and no removal from libraries has been announced. The contrast is hard to ignore. Both platforms are subject to international law and operate globally, yet only one is pulling the plug.
Why the difference? It could come down to regional enforcement or business strategy. Epic may be acting preemptively based on legal risk in Korea, where Nexon is based. Steam, on the other hand, might be waiting for a more definitive legal resolution or simply interpreting the court’s reach differently.
Either way, this inconsistency only adds to the confusion for players, especially those who own the game on multiple platforms.
What This Means for Ownership in the Digital Age
This situation cuts to the core of a larger issue: do players actually own the games they buy? No, they don’t. This is why AB 2426 passed in California. To properly inform consumers they do not own the games they purchase. When it comes to video games, “buy” means “rent”.
It also shows how fragile game preservation is in a digital world. If Epic removes access and Steam later follows suit, Dark & Darker could effectively vanish for many players, regardless of how much time or money they’ve invested.
This isn’t just about Dark & Darker. It’s about the precedent being set. If a game you purchased can disappear from your library before a lawsuit is even resolved, it calls into question the reliability of digital ownership. Platforms need clearer policies for handling unresolved legal disputes, and players deserve greater transparency and protection. Especially when they’re caught in the crossfire.
Until then, if you want to keep playing Dark & Darker from Epic, your only option is to migrate to Ironmace’s own launcher. But long term, the real issue isn’t just the game’s removal. It’s whether you can trust that what you “buy” will still be yours tomorrow.
