Cozy RPG Deleted From Steam After Seemingly Ripping Off Tetris
Kotaku • • technology
Key Points:
- The Steam store page for the farming sim Starsand Island was removed by the developers due to unauthorized use of content in a minigame, specifically suspected to be a Tetris clone called Starblock.
- The developers cited “insufficient verification” and “expressions from external works” used without permission as reasons for the self-imposed removal.
- Fans and observers identified the Starblock minigame as copying key Tetris elements, including tetromino shapes, the ghost mechanic, and the 10×20 board, which violates The Tetris Company's IP rights.
- While Tetris-like games are generally allowed, directly replicating specific protected features is not, explaining the legal issue faced by Starsand Island.
- A new version of the game is reportedly ready for release, but no official date has been given for the Steam page's return.
