14 DAY TRIAL // Darkest Dungeon is one of the most interesting indie releases of the past few weeks and it seems that someone is seeking to take advantage of its popularity to try and make some money by putting up a listing for it on the official Windows App Store which is actually a scam that is not endorsed in any way by the actual developer.
The 2 MB file is being sold for 3.99 dollars or Euro and apparently enough people have fallen for it and complained to the developers.
Red Hook Studios co-president Tyler Sigman has been talking about the issue on Twitter and it seems that the company and Microsoft are moving as fast as possible in order to remove the Darkest Dungeon listing on the Windows App Store.
Presumably, they are also working to find out who is behind it and make them pay to the fullest extent of the law.
At the moment, Darkest Dungeon is only offered officially on Steam and on the Humble Store, and all those who find the game offered on other sites should report the issue and stay clear.
It's unclear whether those who have bought the game on Windows App Store will get their money back or can be compensated in any other way.
Microsoft needs to better secure its ecosystem
Maybe the biggest problem with the scam listing of Darkest Dungeon is that Microsoft failed to make sure that the actual game was being offered by the developers and accepted a submission from a third party.
Such problems have also existed on the Apple iOS store, where clones of titles are being offered, sometimes with prices attached even to those that are originally free-to-play.
Companies that have online stores need to improve their security in the long term, especially when it comes to popular titles created by smaller companies, which might not have the resources to monitor all outlets and make sure that no scams appear.
Microsoft is planning to deliver more integration between the Xbox One and Windows 10, when it comes to gaming, later in the year.
Thx for all the help re: DarkestDungeon and the Windows Game Store. We have a ticket open & several helpful MSFT people are shepherding it.
— Red Hook Tyler (@tylersigman) February 23, 2015