A Dark Room pulled from Switch eShop for including code editor

Text-based exploration and resource management game A Dark Room has been removed from the Nintendo Switch eShop just after release after it was revealed the game included a code editor in the final version.

Following the game's launch on the eShop earlier this month, developer Amir Rajan announced on social media that he had included a Ruby interpreter and code editor in the game. The editor was accessible by playing A Dark Room on the eShop with a USB keyboard connected, by pressing the "~" key on the keyboard and following the instructions that appeared.

"This Easter Egg effectively turns every consumer spec-ed Nintendo Switch into a Ruby Machine," Rajan said.

Now, GamesIndustry.biz sister-site Eurogamer reports that the game has been pulled because of the code editor, which Rajan has since said was added as "a last second 'spark of inspiration.'"

"I deeply regret how this has blown up," Rajan said. "These past three days have been the worst days of my life. And I don't know what to say except I'm sorry, and all I wanted to do was allow kids (and coding adults that have forgotten the joy) to discover what I discovered 25 years ago."

The game's publisher, Circle Entertainment, was not aware of the code editor.

"A Dark Room was removed from the eShop on 26th April, and we learnt of the likely reason for its removal through the weekend," the publisher said in a statement. "We're liaising with Nintendo to clarify on the next steps and will deal with the matter accordingly; they are regretful circumstances and we apologise for the issue. We have always worked hard to carefully follow Nintendo's processes and terms throughout our history of publishing on DSiWare, 3DS eShop, Wii U eShop and Nintendo Switch eShop, and we're sorry that there has evidently been an issue with this title.

"Until we clarify the next steps with Nintendo we can't offer any further comment."