After a series of controversies surrounding medieval fantasy-based extraction multiplayer RPG Dark and Darker, the studio behind the game, Ironmace, has now begun encouraging its players to take part in the game’s latest playtest by downloading the game through torrents, according to IGN.
The torrent, released on the game’s Discord server, is available for the current playtest which is slated to go on until April 19. Ironmace took this step after being served with a cease and desist letter and a DMCA takedown for the game back in March.
“Rest assured that we are working around the clock to safeguard the continuance of Dark and Darker,” said the studio on its Discord server, according to a post on Reddit. “Unfortunately, due to the complexities of our situation, especially across international lines, it is taking time to resolve the Steam situation. In order for us to keep our promise to our fans we’ve had to go old school this time.”
The reason behind the game getting a cease and desist and DMCA takedown notice was because Ironmace’s offices were found hiding assets and code stolen from publisher Nexon. Since then, the studio has taken to approaching players directly for funding for its legal fees, going through a GoFundMe.
Dark and Darker was a sleeper hit when its original playtest was released. Its gameplay involves players entering a dungeon with a party to try and take out AI-controlled enemies as well as other player parties in hopes to leave the dungeon with better equipment and abilities. Like games like Hunt: Showdown and Escape from Tarkov, it also features perma-death, leading players to start anew if their character meets their untimely demise in a dungeon run.
