Haunted videogame No Players Online resurrected on Steam after a disgruntled "former friend" had it exorcised via DMCA

Rock Paper Shotgun
Wed, 03 Dec 2025 11:56:04 +0000

Beeswax Games' spiritual successor to the freeware game No Players Online was temporarily removed from Steam due to a DMCA claim by a "former friend" who falsely claimed co-authorship. The game was taken down on November 13, shortly after its release. After filing a counter-notice, the game was reinstated when the complainant failed to respond. Developer Adam Pype expressed concerns over the financial impact and betrayal felt from the incident.

2025-12-03 | Eurogamer: "It's crazy to me that someone can just take down our game" - well-received horror No Players Online returns to Steam following "unfounded" DMCA

No Players Online has returned to Steam after a nearly three-week removal due to an "unfounded" DMCA takedown notice from a former friend of the developer, Beeswax Games. The studio clarified that the game was created entirely by its team and filed a counter-notice, leading to its reinstatement. The incident has impacted Beeswax financially and raised concerns about the misuse of DMCA claims in the gaming industry.

2025-12-03 | GamesRadar+: Creepy experimental FPS gets re-released on Steam after a "former friend" got it taken down, devs plead for support after weeks of lost sales: "We're unsure if we will be able to recover"

The experimental horror FPS, No Players Online, has been re-released on Steam after being taken down due to a DMCA claim from a "former friend" of the developers, who falsely claimed co-authorship. The developers, Beeswax, expressed concern over lost sales and momentum, stating they spent two and a half years and significant resources on the game. They remain committed to post-launch support but are uncertain about their financial future.