Prepare yourself for a bit of bad news because Krafton has officially terminated licensing agreement with Ironmace. While you might have been excited to welcome the release date of “Dark and Darker” Mobile, it’s unfortunate that this decision from Krafton may result in the game’s rebrand. And yes, it might also mean that there will be a slight delay in the official release date of “Dark and Darker” Mobile. Let’s dive into everything you need to know behind Krafton’s decision to rebrand “Dark and Darker” Mobile.
Krafton Ends Licensing Agreement for “Dark and Darker” Mobile
Approaching its global release date, Korean’s top gaming company and PUBG developer, Krafton, has confirmed to end agreement with Ironmace “Dark and Darker” Mobile and rebrand the game.
In an official report, Ironmace confirmed that the exclusive global licensing contract for the “Dark and Darker” IP (mobile version) had ended. And after the termination, Krafton planned to rebrand “Dark and Darker” Mobile and complete the game’s production under a new name before its global release.
“According to a mutual agreement between both companies, the exclusive global licensing contract for the Dark and Darker IP mobile game has been terminated.”
Ironmace.
What Happened Behind “Dark and Darker” Mobile Dispute
“Dark and Darker” Mobile is a battle royale survival game developed by Krafton under the name “Project AB” (Adventurer’s Battlegrounds). The company then announced the official name of this project as “Dark and Darker” Mobile, incorporating the intellectual property (IP) of “Dark and Darker,” a game developed by Ironmace.
Unfortunately, a controversy arose when Ironmace faced a legal issue with another Korean gaming corporation, Nexon.
Apparently, Ironmace was founded by former Nexon developers. Then, when Ironmace released “Dark and Darker,” Nexon accused Ironmace of developing the game using stolen code and assets from Nexon’s unreleased project, “P3.”
Therefore, Ironmace must face a massive dispute even though they have repeatedly denied the allegations.
Despite legal challenges, “Dark and Darker” gained a strong following through its playtests, particularly on Steam. However, the game was then removed after Nexon carried out their legal actions. Still, the game then later resurfaced through alternative distribution methods.
“Dark and Darker” Mobile, on the other hand, was not developed by Ironmace. It was only based on the name and IPs of “Dark and Darker.” Hence, based on the agreement for the IP rights, Krafton held the exclusive global licensing contract for the “Dark and Darker” release on mobile.
And yet, due to this legal dispute, Krafton decided to end the mobile licensing agreement with Ironmace and rebrand “Dark and Darker” Mobile under a new name.
“Krafton has only used the original game’s name for ‘Dark and Darker’ Mobile, while every other aspect has been independently developed. We are currently reviewing the possibility of changing only the game’s title.”
Krafton.
Possible Delay on “Dark and Darker” Mobile Release Date
Finally, due to this name rebrand, it is highly possible that the official global release date for “Dark and Darker” Mobile will be delayed. Although the game is currently available after a soft launch in Canada, this name rebrand will also determine its upcoming availability.
Factors That Could Affect the Release Date:
Branding & Marketing Adjustments
Since Krafton is only changing the game’s name and branding, the core development remains unaffected. However, branding updates involve revising promotional materials, logos, in-game assets, and official store listings. This process could take some time, especially for a global launch.
App Store and Legal Processes
If the game is already registered under the “Dark and Darker” Mobile name on platforms like Google Play and the Apple App Store, Krafton will need to update these listings. Some app stores require approval for such changes, which could cause minor delays.
Marketing & Communication Strategy
Krafton may want to strategically announce the new name and build anticipation around the rebranded version. If they choose to do a marketing campaign before release, it might push the launch date slightly further.
Development & Testing Progress
Since Krafton has conducted multiple tests, the game seems to be in its final stages. If there are no major internal changes beyond the name, the delay might be minimal or even nonexistent.
Current Status
- The new name and rebranding schedule have not been announced yet, making it hard to predict the exact impact on the release date.
- If Krafton prioritizes a fast transition, the delay could be just a few weeks.
- If they take time to carefully rebrand and relaunch with a new marketing strategy, it could push the release further.
But don’t panic. For now, you can still access and pre-register “Dark and Darker” Mobile both on Android and iOS.
So, stay tuned and we will keep you updated! Also, don’t forget to visit “Dark and Darker” Mobile official website for more information.
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