A Minecraft-inspired sandbox game, Allumeria, has made a swift return to Valve’s Steam platform after being temporarily removed due to a DMCA takedown. The takedown, initiated on behalf of Microsoft, claimed that certain screenshots on Allumeria’s Steam page infringed upon Minecraft’s copyright. However, following significant community support and acknowledgment from Mojang’s chief creative officer, the situation has been resolved, allowing Allumeria’s creator, known as ‘Unomelon,’ to breathe a sigh of relief after a tumultuous 24 hours.
Community Support and Legal Challenges
Unomelon expressed gratitude for the overwhelming support received during this challenging time, stating, “I can finally rest.” They also voiced concerns about the “broken” DMCA system, reflecting on the precarious position smaller developers might find themselves in. “If I was a smaller developer, or if I hadn’t put in the work to grow my community early on, I am not sure what I would have done,” they remarked.
While the influence of Minecraft is evident in Allumeria, Unomelon emphasizes that the game aims to explore the full potential of voxel sandbox gameplay, incorporating unique items and impressive boss battles. Although they cite Terraria as a significant influence, Unomelon acknowledges Minecraft’s foundational role in shaping the genre, stating, “I have been a long-term fan of Minecraft… I watched it change hands, and as I grew older I became more frustrated with the game and the direction it had taken.”
Allumeria’s journey on Steam began with its first playtest last year, followed by the release of a demo. Unomelon had aspirations to showcase the game at the upcoming Steam Next Fest, scheduled for the end of February. However, those plans faced a significant hurdle when Valve notified them of the DMCA takedown.
The DMCA Takedown
The DMCA notice, attributed to an individual named “Judith Woodward” on behalf of Microsoft, alleged that Allumeria’s use of Minecraft content infringed upon their rights. The notice included two images, one from Allumeria’s Steam page and another from the official Minecraft website. While both depicted forest scenes in a blocky art style, the similarities ended there, leading many to question the validity of the claim.
The situation sparked outrage among Unomelon’s supporters and the broader gaming community, particularly among those working on similar projects. Allegations emerged that a copyright enforcement service called Tracer AI was involved in sending the DMCA notice. This service, which utilizes AI technology to identify potential copyright infringements, has been noted as a client of Mojang in past communications.
In a fortunate turn of events, a lawyer who observed the situation offered to assist Unomelon by filing a counter notice. The issue also caught the attention of Jens Bergensten, Mojang’s chief creative officer, who indicated he was looking into the matter.
Resolution and Reflection
Ultimately, the DMCA claim was withdrawn, and Allumeria was reinstated on Steam, with both the main store page and demo now accessible once again. Unomelon shared the news with their community, expressing relief and gratitude for the support that helped bring visibility to their plight. “Microsoft has withdrawn the copyright claim with no action needed on my part. This is the best-case scenario,” they noted.
Reflecting on the experience, Unomelon described the initial shock of receiving the DMCA claim. They recalled previous instances where Microsoft had issued similar notices against other games lacking any Minecraft IP. “It seems like a common occurrence,” they remarked, highlighting the broader issue of large corporations potentially misusing the DMCA system. Despite the challenges faced, Unomelon expressed appreciation for the withdrawal of the claim, even without official communication regarding its origins.
Unomelon characterized the DMCA process as “broken,” emphasizing the need for reform. “If I wasn’t as lucky to have a wonderful community… this issue might have never made it to the public’s attention,” they stated. With Allumeria back on track for the Steam Next Fest, the episode serves as a reminder of the complexities and challenges faced by independent developers in the gaming industry.
