Steam Game’s Assets Stolen Just Two Months Ahead of Release

A few weeks back, the indie duo at Rike Games was excited to see their arcade-style game demo gaining popularity on Chinese platforms. Despite the language barrier, they recognized the potential of tapping into the Chinese gaming market, which boasts a significant portion of Steam users. They had already invested in localization, and a Chinese publisher had reached out about a possible partnership. Although the game was still months from its official launch, the prospects were promising.

However, just two weeks later, that excitement took a nosedive. The game had made such an impact that it seemingly inspired a clone aimed at Chinese gamers. Unlike typical game clones that merely borrow concepts or aesthetics, this one allegedly launched with the exact assets from the demo. Some Steam users pointed out that the official demo was shorter and featured fewer elements than its Chinese counterpart, leading players to dub the clone the “maxed out version,” as shared by Mike Gschwilm, one half of Rike Games.

The game at the heart of this situation is a clever incremental title called Bills Must Be Paid. Players engage in smashing piggy banks to gather cash for an endless stream of bills. The concept is straightforward, but the satisfaction of smashing targets with a hammer is immediate. As players advance, they encounter various pig types that behave differently, and a robust skill tree allows for customization in areas like grip strength, luck, and elemental damage.

One enthusiastic review on Steam captures the sentiment: “Absolutely loved it! Played this while I’m currently unemployed … It’s very satisfying for the piggies to get destroyed to the lovely chill music. It really helped me forget my real problems for a moment.”

In the Chinese version of Bills Must Be Paid, it appears that sound effects, assets, and skill trees have been directly copied from the original. Gschwilm noted that even a handwritten note he created appears in the clone. The primary distinction is that the knockoff includes advertisements.

While it’s unclear how well the Chinese version is performing, it seems to be gaining traction, with one hashtag related to the clone racking up nearly 2 million video views, according to Gschwilm.

Currently, Rike Games is grappling with their next steps. With a small team, they lack the resources to engage in a legal battle overseas. Despite the positive feedback for their original game, the disappointment of being outpaced before their planned July release is palpable.

Their concern extends beyond potential lost sales; since the Chinese version is based on an unfinished iteration of Bills Must Be Paid, it could tarnish the studio’s reputation. Gschwilm described the clone as a “crappy” experience that lacks the finer details, such as shaders. He warns that if players are let down by the Chinese version, they might assume the original won’t deliver either.

For now, Rike Games is focused on moving forward. They aim to enhance the full game with features like a prestige system, a broader range of pig types and hammers, and a proper ending to attract players.

“Currently, our main focus is making the full game the best possible version, so that players will just ignore the clone and hopefully point other players to the official Steam version,” Gschwilm stated.