Drawquarium developer reports unauthorized demo misuse on Google Play

Kaleb, a Berlin-based developer, has reported that the demo for his upcoming sandbox simulation game, Drawquarium, was unauthorizedly misappropriated and released as an Android app on Google Play. The developer noted that the stolen version included the original game name and screenshots, some of which still contained visible mouse cursors from the original recording.

Drawquarium, scheduled for release on November 14 via Steam, allows players to draw their own fish and plants to inhabit a customizable aquarium. The game has gained significant traction, with its release trailer surpassing 6.6 million views and Steam wishlists exceeding 75,000.

While the developer indicated the unauthorized app appeared to originate from Pakistan, they expressed empathy for those working hard to make a living. Google Play has stated they are currently investigating the matter. This incident highlights a growing trend of risks facing indie developers who release demos to gather feedback, as seen in similar recent cases involving other titles.