Void War Returns to Steam After Games Workshop’s DMCA Withdrawal

Void War has made its return to Steam following a recent DMCA withdrawal by Games Workshop. This news comes after Games Workshop had filed a DMCA against Tundra Interactive, the developers of the game.

Background of the DMCA Incident

Two weeks ago, Tundra Interactive faced significant challenges when a DMCA notice was issued against Void War. The notice originated from Games Workshop, a company known for its rigorous protection of intellectual property (IP).

Communication With Games Workshop

After a week of no communication from Games Workshop, Tundra Interactive finally received a response confirming that the DMCA was indeed filed by them. This acknowledgment came from a lawyer named Mal Reynolds, a name that ironically echoes a character from the series Firefly.

Reason for the DMCA

Games Workshop expressed concerns regarding a particular shot from Void War’s trailer. Their primary issue was with the design elements that could mistakenly imply an association with their brand. Specifically, they objected to “oversized convex shoulder pads with a metallic rim,” which they felt resembled elements from their own IP.

Tundra Interactive’s Response

Tundra Interactive clarified that all artwork in Void War’s trailer was original and created by their own artists. Despite this, the developers opted for a quick resolution by removing the contentious trailer from their Steam page.

• Tundra Interactive plans to re-upload an updated version of the trailer in the future.
• The removal of the trailer allowed them to restore the game’s availability on Steam.
• They are currently focusing on finishing multi-language font support for better translations.

Future Developments

As Tundra Interactive works on these updates, fans can expect a potential new version of the trailer. Existing users can check the original trailer via SteamDB, where the problematic image can be found, as confirmed by both Games Workshop and Tundra Interactive.

Games Workshop’s Protective Stance

Games Workshop is known for its assertive approach in protecting its IP. This includes past attempts to trademark terms such as “Space Marine” and enforcing bans on fan-made projects.

With the DMCA behind them, it is hoped that Tundra Interactive can continue developing Void War without further legal interruptions. The game is currently available on Steam and Itch.io, where users can also access a Steam key.