Charles Esther
Epic Games has officially announced that users who purchased Dark and Darker will lose access to the title on November 1, 2025.
The removal comes months after the game was delisted from the Epic Games Store in March due to ongoing legal issues involving its developer, IRONMACE, and Nexon.
While the game remains playable on other platforms like Steam, Epic has taken a much more decisive stance, sparking concerns about digital game ownership.
Epic to Remove Dark and Darker from User Libraries
According to emails sent to users, Epic Games will entirely remove Dark and Darker from customer libraries later this year.
This means players who purchased the game will no longer be able to launch or access it through Epic’s platform.
Epic cited a court decision in South Korea involving Nexon and IRONMACE as the reason behind the move.
No further details were given regarding the legal interpretation or enforcement that prompted this action.
Game Purchases and Refund Policy
Epic Games confirmed that players will not be able to purchase Redstone Shards or the Legendary Status upgrade going forward.
Players who already bought Legendary Status will be issued refunds.
However, those who purchased Redstone Shards will not receive refunds, though they can continue to spend remaining currency until November 1.
The decision has angered some users, especially given the lack of clarity from Epic and IRONMACE alike.
Legal Conflict Between Nexon and IRONMACE Explained
Dark and Darker has faced legal turmoil since 2023 when Nexon accused IRONMACE of stealing content from an internal project.
Nexon claimed that a former team leader took trade secrets and copyrighted assets to create Dark and Darker.
This led to a cease-and-desist order that resulted in the game’s temporary removal from Steam.
While a U.S. court later dismissed the case, the conflict continued in South Korea.
South Korean Court Ruling Complicates Game’s Future
In February 2025, a court in Seoul ruled that IRONMACE had not infringed Nexon’s copyrights.
However, it found that IRONMACE had violated South Korean trade secret laws and ordered them to pay ₩8.5 billion (approximately $6 million) in damages.
This ruling may have influenced Epic’s decision to remove the game from its store and user libraries.
Interestingly, Steam has chosen not to follow suit and continues to host the game.
What This Means for Digital Game Ownership
This situation raises important questions about the nature of digital game ownership.
Gamers who paid full price for Dark and Darker on Epic will lose all access, despite having purchased the game legally.
Unlike physical media, digital ownership often hinges on platform policies and legal constraints.
This incident highlights a growing concern in the gaming industry: players do not truly own the games they buy digitally.
DRM-Free Alternatives Offer Greater Security
One way to avoid scenarios like this is by purchasing games through platforms like GOG, which offer DRM-free downloads.
These allow users to keep and run their games independently of third-party storefronts.
However, the vast majority of popular titles are sold through platforms like Epic, Steam, and the Microsoft Store.
As such, users remain vulnerable to sudden revocations, legal rulings, or policy shifts that impact their access.
Uncertain Future for Dark and Darker
Despite the setback on Epic Games, Dark and Darker remains available on Steam.
IRONMACE has not announced any plans to remove the game from that platform.
Still, players are advised to remain cautious, as legal battles could affect the game’s availability in the future.
Until then, fans who wish to continue playing will need to switch platforms.
Final Thoughts on Digital Ownership
The Dark and Darker case may not become the norm, but it sets a troubling precedent.
Gamers are now more aware than ever that digital purchases can be revoked without full refunds or detailed explanations.
As platforms hold the final say on what stays or goes, the value of digital “ownership” continues to be debated.
For now, this case serves as a stark reminder of the fragile nature of game access in the digital age.
