FTL‑meets‑Warhammer roguelite Void War pulled from Steam after DMCA claim allegedly from Games Workshop

Released in June of last year, Void War is a Roguelite game that combines the mechanics and gameplay of FTL and the setting of Warhammer. The game basically looks like a giant love letter to the two settings. The game received a warm reception from fans of the genre and was doing moderately well until the 22nd of January, when an update from the developer revealed that the game had been removed from the Steam store but was still available to purchase on itch.io.

A couple of days later, the dev posted another update, this time revealing that “Valve pulled Void War’s Steam page after a DMCA notice that says Games Workshop is claiming copyright infringement.” The developer stated that although the DMCA notice did state it was sent by Games Workshop, they had received no other communications from GW, and that the only information Valve was able to supply about the claimant was “Games Workshop’s public-facing infringements inbox and the name 'Mal Reynolds', (yes, like the main character from Firefly).” Firefly was a popular sci-fi show that was cancelled after only a single season. 

The dev clarified that the only indication that GW was involved was that suspicious-sounding name, though it is entirely possible that GW does employ a Mal Reynolds to hand out DMCA notices on their behalf. Reassuring the fans, the dev stated that they would proceed with the “ standard DMCA process” and get the game back on the Steam store while they wait for an official GW response. 

FTL: Faster than Light is an indie roguelike space sim, developed by Subset Games, released in 2012. Players take control of the crew of a spaceship, on the run from rebel forces, while trying to deliver vital information to the allied fleet. The ship and its crew must navigate several sectors to reach safety, all while evading rebel forces and other lurking threats. The game received an overwhelming reception, as the developers initially turned to crowdfunding via Kickstarter, where their $10,000 goal was exceeded by $190,000. The game is considered a Kickstarter success story. 

Warhammer, a tabletop strategy wargame played with miniatures, was developed by Games Workshop. Warhammer’s world is one where “In the grim darkness of the far future, there is only war.” A violent and pessimistic science-fantasy, with a dystopian future where Mankind is at war with various races, and in a constant struggle against the forces of chaos. 

The IP has been used in various forms across all sorts of media, including multiple game titles like Space Marine 1 and 2, Vermintide, and Rogue Trader, and multiple TV formats, like the short developed by Secret Level, called “They shall know no fear,” revolving around the Primaris Ultramarine, Titus.