Games Workshop Issues DMCA Takedown on Warhammer-Themed Steam Game, Developer Claims
Games Workshop has recently issued a DMCA takedown against the Steam game Void War, developed by Tundra Interactive. The issue arose over an image of a shoulder pad from the game, which Games Workshop claimed was infringing on its copyright. This situational development underscores the ever-present concerns regarding intellectual property rights in the gaming industry.
DMCA Takedown Details
The DMCA notice was directed at Tundra Interactive and cited copyright infringement. The notice’s origin was unexpected; it was attributed to an email under the name “Mal Reynolds,” familiar to fans of the television series Firefly. Initially, Tundra suspected that this was a misunderstanding, believing the takedown might be a prank.
Response from Tundra Interactive
- Tundra Interactive received confirmation from Games Workshop regarding the DMCA notice.
- The concern was specific to a certain image in the game’s trailer.
- Games Workshop highlighted the oversized convex shoulder pads as the issue.
The developers expressed disagreement with Games Workshop’s assessment but chose to remove the trailer to avoid a protracted legal battle. Their focus was to restore Void War’s availability on Steam and continue game development.
Reinstatement of Void War
After the takedown, Tundra Interactive successfully reinstated Void War on Steam. They removed the contentious trailer and are exploring options to re-upload a revised version in the future. Their immediate priorities include enhancing multi-language support and finalizing game content.
Lessons in Intellectual Property Protection
- Games Workshop actively monitors potential copyright infringements.
- The incident emphasizes the careful navigation required for indie developers working with established IPs.
- Strong IP enforcement remains a key practice within the gaming industry.
This event serves as a reminder of the complexities around intellectual property, particularly in a landscape where themes and aesthetics often overlap. As Tundra Interactive continues its work on Void War, there is a quiet assurance that they will tread carefully in compliance with established IP rights.
