How do I go about reporting a potential asset theft from DQB 1 and/or DQB 2?

[Kijame]

I was doing some tidying up in my library today and noticed a game that is definitely using certain blocks (albeit some of them hue-changed) as well as the King Cureslime (just different eyes and crown pattern), Daffodaisies and Sakura tree. Potentially more. This is just what I gathered from the screenshots on the store page. I only have this game in my library because it was free and I periodically grab free games, but the dev also has a paid game that uses DQB assets.

I thought about flagging it via the storepage function but none of the options match this problem explicitly, and I can't file a DMCA on behalf of Koei or Squeenix. I don't think it is very likely that sending them an email will kick things off - though if it could, whom should I contact? Furthermore, if the assets are indeed stolen it's possible that other assets are too, and I'm simply not in the know of which games were ripped off.

Also I apologize for not naming the game right this instant but I just want to avoid any mass action (you know how the internet can be sometimes) until I have a little more info on how to proceed. I did notice that there was one other person that noticed the assets back in 2018, but they seem to have assumed that this was because the game shared an engine with DQB (sort of how a lot of games share the same unity assets).

[brianloveslisa]

Ever think they might have maybe bought the rights to use it? I mean, it's crazy as hell, but it is possible.

[OgreMage]

Originally posted by brianloveslisa:

Ever think they might have maybe bought the rights to use it? I mean, it's crazy as hell, but it is possible.

Nobody is buying assets from SquareEnix to use in their own games lol.

[Kijame]

Yeah I don't really see them licensing out their assets. But even on the off-chance that they do, or that there was anything else legal going on here, I was asking for advice on how to proceed without inciting a brigade. It seems highly unlikely, but innocent until proven guilty etc etc.

[lilisaur]

I believe only the owner (Square Enix) could report a game for using assets they own. They don't monitor the Steam Community, so best bet is to go to Square Enix webpage and submit a customer service inquiry, identifying the game(s) and a link to the game(s) Steam store pages. At that point its in Square Enix's hands to take action.

King Cureslime graphic would be the most obvious offender. The daffodaisy and cherry tree design are a bit more generic and its tougher for Square Enix to make a case on them.

[Zalzany]

Originally posted by Kijame:

Yeah I don't really see them licensing out their assets. But even on the off-chance that they do, or that there was anything else legal going on here, I was asking for advice on how to proceed without inciting a brigade. It seems highly unlikely, but innocent until proven guilty etc etc.

To themselves they are the publisher and listed as one the devs on it... Also no you can't report them for using their own assets lol. ONLY THEY can file claims of asset theft and as the PUBLISHER they would seen it, and had to sign off on it lol

Unless its YOUR assets you have no right to report it, and again THEY SIGNED OFF ON THE GAME saw its development and HELPED THEM GET THE ASSETS for the game lol I mean ♥♥♥♥ I think they paid them to make the game lol

[Kijame]

Zalzany I think you are misunderstanding, as neither Koei nor Squeenix are listed as publishers/devs for the game I am talking about. If they were, I'd have no reason to even consider reporting anything, since all would be in order. I am not implying that DQB2 stole from DQB 1 or something, that'd be a bit moronic.

But yeah as I said, it's not like I can file a claim on their behalf, that's why I was hoping for suggestions. Even at emailing Square, the questions begin. Do I email their branch in Japan or NA or EU? Regular contact email or is there a specific one? I suppose I'll have to do some research this weekend. Posting here on the forum was mostly in hopes that someone who knows a little more about the industry had some insights. But it's not exactly that board discussion is thriving so I knew it was a long-shot, haha.

[lilisaur]

You should probably report in the region you live, and give them what details you can, like the Steam store link to the potentially copyright-infringing game. At least for North American English site, its a web form where you just fill in basic fields. https://support.na.square-enix.com/
Its pretty bad site though where you have to search for the game in question (presumably the one with IP elements being copied), then click the contact link at top so they know which SE game you are talking about.

Once you submit, that's all you really need to do. Its up to them to take it from there.