Microsoft withdrew a DMCA takedown against indie game Allumeria on February 11, 2026, restoring the Minecraft-inspired title to Steam after a 24-hour removal. The reversal followed widespread criticism that the copyright claim targeted visual similarities rather than actual asset theft.
Valve removed Allumeria from Steam on February 10 after Microsoft filed a DMCA notice alleging copyright infringement. The claim cited a single screenshot showing birch trees, tall grass, and pumpkins in a voxel world, arguing it resembled Minecraft content.
Developer Unomelon received notification from Valve stating Microsoft alleged unauthorized use of "Minecraft content, including but not limited to gameplay and assets."
Unomelon described the situation as "very dangerous and very scary" in Discord posts, facing a 10-day window to either accept removal or file a counter-notice risking legal action from Microsoft.
"I have 10 days to figure out what I am going to do here," Unomelon wrote. "The safest thing to do is just roll over and die basically."
Multiple sources suggest the takedown originated from Tracer.AI, an automated copyright enforcement platform Microsoft uses. The AI system reportedly flagged Allumeria based on visual similarities without human review, marking at least the second time Microsoft's automated systems have targeted voxel games.
Industry observers noted the inconsistency in Microsoft's enforcement. Games like Hytale, which originated from a Minecraft server and features polished Minecraft-like visuals, continue operating without DMCA challenges. Vintage Story, another voxel survival title, also remains available despite clear Minecraft inspiration.
Minecraft lead designer Jens Bergensten responded to the controversy on Bluesky, stating he was "investigating" the takedown after becoming aware of it. The Mojang creative director's involvement suggests internal review processes at Microsoft may have triggered the reversal.
Allumeria's Steam page returned on February 11 without requiring a counter-notice from the developer.
"Microsoft has withdrawn the copyright claim with no action needed on my part," Unomelon announced. "This is the best case scenario. The Steam page and game has been fully restored, and I did not need to file a counter claim, meaning there will be no chance of a lawsuit."
The game entered early access earlier this year and was preparing for Steam Next Fest in February 2026. Allumeria features voxel-based graphics and survival mechanics but emphasizes boss fights, loot systems, and cave exploration that differentiate it from Minecraft's sandbox focus.
Unomelon expressed hope that "automated claims like this are investigated or prevented in the future." The developer added, "DMCA claims can do serious damage to independent creators like myself. Whether on YouTube or Steam."
Microsoft has not publicly commented on the takedown or its reversal. The incident highlights ongoing tensions between copyright protection and game genre conventions in the voxel survival space, similar to other recent DMCA controversies in the gaming industry.
