Removing IP: Dead by Daylight
By Xander Townsend | Misfit Media Editor
There are many reasons why game companies decide or are forced to remove IP from their games, whether it be expiring licences, change in game direction, or the relationship between companies turns a new leaf. From a decision making standpoint, companies and dev studios can choose to do whatever they want with their games, but should developers really charge for content that will expire?
Dead by Daylight recently decided to set a date to remove their Stranger Things DLC which included a playable killer (Demogorgan), 2 playable survivors (Steve and Nancy), and one map, as well as exclusive skins and purchasable cosmetics. It has been stated that players will get to keep the survivors and killer to play, as well as any skins purchased, but the Stranger Things map will be removed from the map pool. You will also not be able to purchase the Stranger Things DLC from the cutoff date.
As Netflix had recently decided to invest in their own game development platform, one can only assume the licence for the IP is about to expire and they chose not to renew it with a newly formed competitor. I don’t really want to talk about the reasons behind games choosing to remove game content that is IP related, but more if it is ethical to include and make available for purchase content that developers are well aware may expire and/or be removed.
Game developers make a commitment to their customers when their game is purchased. They promise quality, functionality, and hopefully, enjoyment. I don’t believe you can ask consumers to pay money for game content you are well aware will in its entirety, or partially be removed from the game unless it is explicitly specified when purchasing. With the fact that many children and young adults play this game, developers cannot assume or expect their player base to understand how licence expiry works.
I understand that if developers cannot utilise purchased and temporary IP in their games it would cause a lot of problems as well as limit creative freedom, but purchasable DLC packs are a little bit of a different ball game. Limited DLC is always labelled just that, limited. The Stranger Things DLC was never listed as limited and I believe that the developers should have made it blatantly clear, from an ethical standpoint.