GSC Game World, the developer of Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl, has issued a DMCA takedown against the co-op survival horror game Misery, claiming copyright infringement. This led Valve to remove Misery from Steam. The Misery team, led by indie developer Maewing, insisted that their game is distinct and set in the fictional Republic of Zaslavia, claiming no connections to GSC’s intellectual property. They argued that drawing inspiration from various sources should not lead to a DMCA strike.
Despite the setback, the Misery developers expressed confidence in resolving the issue and continuing their work, promising updates soon. They urged fans not to retaliate against GSC but later faced criticism for derogatory comments made privately. Following backlash, an apology was issued, clarifying their stance against extremism and discrimination. There are allegations that Misery may have used Stalker 2 assets, which could explain GSC’s targeted legal action. Additionally, some believe the situation may relate to geopolitical tensions, as GSC is based in Ukraine.
GSC also outlined future update plans for Stalker 2, including improvements to gameplay mechanics and performance.
