Dark and Darker developer uses ChatGPT AI tool in bid to prove it hasn’t infringed copyright

Ironmace, the Korean developer behind the upcoming Dark and Darker looter, used ChatGPT to try to prove that it didn’t infringe on any copyright claims. This follows an accusation by Nexon, another Korean developer and for which several Ironmace employees worked, that their game (P3) was being used as a prototype for Dark and Darker.

Over the weekend, Ironmace said it had received a cease and desist letter and DMCA takedown by Nexon, which the developer said was “based on distorted claims.” As a result, Dark and Darker has been removed from Steam.

At the time, Ironamce asked for “understanding” as it worked to get the game back on the site, noting that “due to the sensitive legal nature of this matter” it must be “careful with [its] statements so as not to compromise [its] position”.

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Now in another comprehensive update (via Reddit), Ironmace issued a statement that is “intended to address the serious allegations of copyright infringement and misappropriation of trade secrets that were made against us in Nexon Korea Corporation’s recent DMCA ‘Takedown Notice'”

In an amusing defense, Ironmace included a segment of ChatGPT in its statement.

The developer used the AI ​​chatbot to show how “the premise of adventurers plunging into dungeons filled with monsters and treasure in their quest for riches is so generic and common that it can be widely applied to many other games fantastic”.

This is what ChatGPT came up with when asked by the developer to create a “description for a generic Dungeon Crawling PvP game” like Dark and Darker and Nexon’s P3:

“Certainly! Here is a generic game description for a PvP dungeon crawler game: In this PvP dungeon crawler game, players compete in a dangerous and mysterious dungeon filled with traps, puzzles and monsters. .

“Players choose their characters from a variety of classes, each with unique abilities and playstyles. They must navigate the dungeon, fight waves of monsters, and solve puzzles to progress deeper into the dungeon.

“However, in addition to fighting monsters, players also have to face each other in intense PvP combat. They can attack other players to steal their loot or gain an advantage, but they also have to be careful not to get caught off guard by enemy players.

“Along the way, players will collect loot, weapons, and magic items that will aid them in their quest. They can also trade items with other players or buy and sell items from NPC shops.

“Gameplay involves strategic decision-making, as players must decide when to attack other players and when to focus on progressing through the dungeon. They also need to carefully manage their resources, as they have a limited number of weapons, spells and health.

“The ultimate goal of the game is to reach the deepest level of the dungeon and defeat the final boss, while outmaneuvering and defeating other players. This game provides an exciting and competitive experience for players who enjoy both PvE and PvP gameplay.”

Following this insert, Ironmace stated that the “common characteristics of both games” can be “easily explained by conventions commonly found in shared game genres and found in many other similar games”.

Additionally, Ironmace spoke in more detail about the former Nexon employee, whom Nexon allegedly fired for leaking company data and assets.

Ironmace claimed that this employee “decided to leave” Nexon due to “a breach of trust with one of his superiors” as well as “the uncertain atmosphere within the company”. When Nexon got wind of this, it then allegedly fired the employee based on “unproven allegations”.

Ironmace’s statement goes on to say that this former employee had his project “unceremoniously canceled”, despite being well received in a “highlighting presentation in 2020”. Reportedly, several other projects at Nexon were also canceled “during this time”.

Prior to his departure from Nexon, the former employee reportedly said “he would probably pursue a project along the lines of P3 Project [the game he was heading up development of at Nexon]”, but “explicitly made it clear that any development would be done entirely from scratch.”

“This fact was noted, in testimony taken by police, investigating a separate personal lawsuit brought against the accused member, by Nexon,” reads Ironmace’s letter.

Ironmace also recognized the many Nexon team members who left the company to join Ironmace.

“The fact that nine of the more than twenty members of the P3 project team voluntarily left Nexon, of their own free will to join Ironmace – despite the risks inherent in joining a startup – shows the confidence that the accused member inspires to his peers,” reads the statement.

Ironmace said he had proof that he did nothing untoward while developing Dark and Darker, despite Nexon’s claims.

The statement ended: “Given the information presented, it is difficult to believe that Nexon, in good faith, could reasonably believe that Ironmace has infringed the copyrights of their P3 project. They also do not provide any evidence real that Ironmace appropriated Nexon’s secret business information in the creation of Dark and Darker, but instead bases it on circumstantial claims.

“Finally, they accuse Ironmace of grossly violating Valve’s SSA and SOCR, limiting our ability to deliver our game to players on the largest mainstream PC gaming platform and severely impairing our ability to do business. Ironmace asks Nexon to drop its baseless claims.

“If they wish to compete on the basis of merit, we urge Nexon to quickly adapt to the comparison of source code, custom assets and design documents with the police to quickly and decisively end this case. ”

We will keep you informed of future developments.