The indie game Misery has been removed from Steam due to a DMCA strike by GSC Game World, known for its Stalker series. This move has prompted a response from Misery’s developer, Maewing, and publisher, Ytopia, who claim all content in their game is either original or licensed.
Delisting and Allegations
Valve notified the 19-year-old developer Maewing about the DMCA strike that alleged improper use of game content. The strike referenced screenshots showing similarities between Misery and GSC's games. However, Maewing and Ytopia argue that Misery does not incorporate any unauthorized characters, assets, or code from GSC Game World's works.
- Misery delisted from Steam after DMCA on 2023-10-05.
- DMCA filed by Stalker developer GSC Game World citing content misuse.
- Maewing claims originality of all used content.
- Controversy over possible unrelated pro-Russian remarks by volunteers.
Developer's Reaction and Future Steps
Maewing initially made inflammatory comments on platforms like Discord and Reddit but later apologized, stating they will deal with the DMCA issue professionally. The Discord for Misery has reportedly undergone heavy moderation, with stern warnings that inflammatory comments about geopolitical conflicts could result in bans.
Amid the ongoing controversy, there has been speculation about whether the takedown is linked to alleged pro-Russian statements made by volunteers associated with the game. This aspect, however, remains unverified, with the primary issue focused on the alleged misuse of GSC’s intellectual property.
