Japanese indie developer Daikichi reported that Valve has blocked the Steam demo release for Wired Tokyo 2007 due to alleged intellectual property issues involving third-party material [1]. The contested content is a dinosaur-themed board game motif called Dinostone, which the developer says it personally created, asserting full ownership [1].
The developer's official account on X (formerly Twitter) apologized for the delayed Steam demo review, stating the board game motif was being treated by Steam as third-party IP despite being its own work. "It’s not a third party, It’s just me wanting to use my own intellectual property rights myself," the account wrote [1].
Valve has requested license agreements or a legal opinion from Daikichi’s attorney to clarify the IP status before approving the app for distribution [1]. Wired Tokyo 2007 is a vertical 3D action game set above Tokyo. Its online store page notes that less than 1% of the final build will use AI-created 3D models and sound sources [1].
The developer first disclosed the delay on April 29, saying the motif was the reason for the hold-up, as Steam continues to treat it as third-party intellectual property [1]. Wired Tokyo 2007 remains scheduled for release sometime in 2027 [1].
The dispute centers on whether the Dinostone motif is third-party IP or owned outright by Daikichi. Valve treats it as third-party, but the developer denies this claim, insisting the motif is its own creation [1]. Valve’s request for legal documentation is the next step before the demo can move forward.
Wired Tokyo 2007’s future depends on resolving the IP question, with the full game expected in 2027. The developer must provide proof or legal opinions to satisfy Valve’s requirements before the Steam demo can be released [1].
