The solo-developed fantasy MMO Dreadmyst launched on Steam just two weeks ago, but has already been temporarily delisted from the platform — seemingly for copyright infringement claims directed at the game's audio files.
Since the game’s launch, the origin of its art and sounds has been the subject of debate on Reddit, where users have been investigating the developer they claim is a notorious MMO grifter.
Following days of intense community sleuthing that linked the developer, "Xjum," to the notorious "Gummy52" — a figure infamous in the World of Warcraft private server scene for abandoning projects under murky circumstances.
In response to the online criticism, the developer has responded in unprecedented fashion. Rather than issuing a standard PR denial or vanishing into the ether, Xjum has publicly released the game’s source code, effectively daring the community to find the malware they accused him of planting.
According to an announcement on the game’s Discord server, developers are looking to replace the problematic sounds and get the game relisted on Steam in a matter of days. Players who have already downloaded the game are still able to play on existing servers.
It is a chaotic pivot in a story already defined by paranoia, stolen assets, and the unique psychology of the grey-market MMO scene. To understand why a developer releasing their code is such a nuclear option, we first have to understand the accusations that forced his hand.
8 Best MMOs To Start Playing In 2026
From martial arts RPGs to dark fantasy epics, 2026 is shaping up to be a blockbuster year for MMOs. Discover the hottest titles to play this season!
The "Gummy52" Connection
Dreadmyst launched on January 9, pitching itself as a "truly free," non-profit MMO built on a custom C++ engine. It promised a return to the "old school" mechanics of the early 2000s, such as tab-target combat, strict class roles, and no predatory microtransactions. For a genre starved of authentic classic experiences, it sounded too good to be true. According to the veterans of r/MMORPG, it was.
Almost immediately, users began noticing similarities between Xjum’s branding and that of Gummy52. For the uninitiated, Gummy52 is a legendary but polarizing figure in the private server community. He is best known for Felmyst, a Burning Crusade server that launched in 2017 to massive hype, only to be shut down mere hours later. At the time, Gummy cited a cease-and-desist letter from Blizzard and a severe muscular dystrophy condition that prevented him from moving the server offshore. While many sympathized with his health battles, the pattern of hype followed by abrupt silence left a deep scar on the community.
"The red flags? Honestly I would have never even looked into the entire situation if it was not for the false mod mail made by Gummy," Reddit moderator Darknotical, who played a key role in the investigation, told The Best War Games. "He was claiming people were wrongly accusing him of being Gummy and lying about using bots. So I went to the Dreadmyst discord and asked him some questions to try to get the full story. He made some self-incriminating comments and after that I dug a little deeper finding out that his account used to send mod mail also was associated with Felmyst content."
Users also pointed out that Xjum's YouTube channel logo appeared to be an AI-upscaled version of Gummy52's old avatar — a visual fingerprint that they said was hard to explain away as coincidence. Other users posted a video showing Gummy52 using the alias "Xjum" in previous development streams years prior.
"Once all of this was out he made comments in his discord basically admitting to being Gummy. It is not a huge leap," Darknotical said. The revelation turned the subreddit into a war zone, with accusations of vote manipulation flying as threads critical of the game were bombarded with downvotes. "We even saw a couple posts get taken from 400 upvoted to 0 in a matter of seconds due to bots."
Reddit user Fit_Meaning6661, a vocal critic in the threads, summarized the community's anxiety: "hes rug pulled like 3 wow private servers just after launch". For these players, Dreadmyst wasn't just a game; it was a trap waiting to be sprung.
The "Asset Flip" and Security Fears
While the identity drama fueled the fire, the game's actual content provided the fuel. Despite the impressive custom engine, the visual and audio assets of Dreadmyst looked like a legal minefield. Players quickly identified icons ripped directly from Magic: The Gathering, character models that bore a striking resemblance to those in Lords of the Fallen, and sound effects lifted wholesale from NCSoft's Aion.
"I personally do not see how the game is still up," Darknotical said. "It is using stolen and copyrighted assets that also uses an engine which contributes to a majority of the games content."
The developer’s defense for the asset usage has been inconsistent. While some Discord messages claim assets were "bought," community members point out that assets from franchises like Aion and The Witcher are not legally available for purchase on asset stores.
Compounding the asset theft allegations were serious security concerns. The game launched without a functional Terms of Service or Privacy Policy. When users attempted to reset their passwords, they were directed to a dead email address. This led to rampant speculation that the client was actually a credential harvester or a vehicle for malware.
Furthermore, the game's business model is raising eyebrows. Dreadmyst is completely free, with no cash shop and no donation link. For a genre that requires expensive server upkeep, this generosity looks suspicious to veterans.
"Add in the mysterious comments made by himself saying 'The game is non-profit in nature' should be a serious red flag," Darknotical warned. "If you are not paying for the product, you are the product." Xjum did not respond to a request for comment regarding these accusations.
The "Nuclear" Option: Source Code Release
Cornered by accusations of malware and identity fraud, Xjum did something no one expected: he open-sourced the client.
In a post on the Steam forums, Xjum addressed the rumors directly, though he notably sidestepped the Gummy52 identity confirmation.
"Just wanted to make this clear for people who wander in here without any context," Xjum wrote. "This isn't a small team, or an 'indie studio' - it's just one guy, me. The source code is entirely original and my own."
He then provided a link to the full client source code, specifically highlighting the security protocols to debunk the malware theories.
"Credentials securely are sent over TLS 1.3, the current modern standard for security," he explained, pointing users to the specific lines of code handling authentication.
This move fundamentally shifted the narrative. By laying the code bare, Xjum essentially proved that the game—at least mechanically—is not a scam. It is a functional, custom-built MMORPG engine.
However, source code cannot fix copyright infringement. As Darknotical pointed out, the "free engine" defense doesn't apply when the art assets sitting on top of it belong to Wizards of the Coast.
For now, the servers remain online, and a confused but curious player base continues to log in. But with the source code now in the wild, the community has already pivoted to a new question on social media: "Can we mod it?"
The release of the code essentially guarantees Dreadmyst will survive, even if the official servers are taken down. By giving the community the keys to the kingdom, Xjum may have rug-proofed his own game. If the game is shut down for any reason, the code is already in the wild. For a developer accused of killing his darlings, making Dreadmyst immortal via open source might be the ultimate act of redemption, or just another layer of the chaos.
-
Checkbox: control the expandable behavior of the extra infoRating block community and brand ratings Image
Dreadmyst
Display card tags widget Display card system widgetDisplay card community and brand rating widget Display card open critics widget Display card main info widgetSystems
Display card main info widget end Display card media widget start- Released
- January 9, 2026
- Developer(s)
- dreadmyst.com
- Publisher(s)
- dreadmyst.com
- Multiplayer
- Online Multiplayer, Online Co-Op
Display card media widget endWHERE TO PLAY
DIGITALDreadmyst is a fantasy online MMO with tab-target combat and deep build customization. Combine abilities from multiple skill trees to craft unique playstyles, conquer dungeons and bosses for powerful gear, and prove your strength in competitive arenas through both PvE and PvP gameplay.
Character Customization
Allocate points across core attributes like Strength, Agility, Willpower, Intelligence, and Courage to shape your playstyle. Each stat impacts combat effectiveness, weapon proficiency, and survival capabilities. Level up abilities for enhanced power.
Dungeons
Team up with three other players to tackle challenging dungeon content. Groups need one tank, one healer, and two DPS to succeed. Face deadly boss mechanics that require coordination and timing. Earn powerful loot and rare materials exclusive to these encounters. Higher difficulties offer better rewards but demand tighter execution. Or, run dungeons on your own. Face elite packs and mini-bosses while collecting loot in classic ARPG-style dungeon crawling action.
Arenas
Test your skills in competitive arena brackets. Quick matches where coordination and ability timing determine victory. Chain your crowd control perfectly and punish opponents' cooldowns to climb the ranks.
Combat That Feels Right
Crisp, responsive controls. Classes built around clear, powerful feedback. The kind of polish that just feels good to play. Dreadmyst was built with a custom C/C++ engine written in OpenGL. Gameplay is balanced through strength, not weakness. Every class is packed with abilities that feel good.
Truly Free
This game is non-profit in nature. There are no plans to introduce paid content or monetization. -
Checkbox: control the expandable behavior of the extra infoDisplay card main info widgetDisplay card main info widget end
