Streamer Defends Dragon's Dogma 2 Gameplay on Twitch Amidst Copyright Uproar

A Twitch streamer known as JustIchor has found themselves at the center of a copyright controversy (though the content posted has been removed by the channel), after streaming over four hours of gameplay from Dragon's Dogma 2, a full week ahead of its official release date. Despite claims of legality and possession of a purchase receipt, the stream was abruptly halted following a takedown request from Capcom, the game's developer.

(Photo : CAPCOM Co., Ltd. / Screenshot taken from Steam.)

Content Removed Amidst Legal Dispute

During the unauthorized stream, which attracted nearly 1,000 viewers at its peak, JustIchor defended their actions by asserting that they had legally acquired the game from Walmart and possessed a valid receipt to prove it. Despite utilizing a VPN (Virtual Private Network) to mask their connection, the stream was ultimately removed after Capcom intervened, citing copyright infringement.

While JustIchor remained steadfast in their belief that their actions were within the bounds of legality, the incident highlights the complexities surrounding early gameplay leaks and copyright enforcement in the gaming industry.

Capcom's Response and Streamer's Defense

Capcom, the developer behind Dragon's Dogma 2, swiftly took action to protect its intellectual property by issuing a takedown request to remove the unauthorized gameplay from Twitch. This move underscores the importance that developers and publishers place on controlling the release of information and gameplay footage ahead of a game's launch.

In response to the copyright dispute, JustIchor reiterated their position, emphasizing that they had acted within the confines of the law by purchasing a legitimate copy of the game. However, the effectiveness of their VPN strategy in preventing detection by copyright holders remains a point of contention, as evidenced by the stream's removal despite these precautions.