Poppy Playtime Developer Mob Entertainment Sues Google Over ‘Scam’ Games

Mob Entertainment seeks at least $150,000 in damages from Google for unauthorized apps tarnishing its brand.

Mob Entertainment (formerly known as MOB Games), the studio behind the Poppy Playtime survival horror series, has filed a lawsuit against Google, accusing the tech giant of hosting fraudulent games on its Google Play store. 

The lawsuit, filed in California, targets Google and an unnamed developer operating under the name Daigo Game 2020, alleging a “bait-and-switch scam” that has misled and financially exploited fans of the franchise.

The offending apps, titled Poppy Playtime Chapter 3 and Poppy Playtime Chapter 4, directly reference the series and use screenshots from Poppy Playtime: Chapter 2. While the games are free to download, players are prompted to purchase a mod priced between $30 and $95 to access gameplay. According to the lawsuit, the only thing players receive after payment is a link to a non-functional webpage.

The original Poppy Playtime was released in 2021 and gained familiarity due to its antagonist, Huggy Wuggy. The franchise now is expanded to three chapters: 

• Chapter 1: “A Tight Squeeze” was released on Oct. 12, 2021.
• Chapter 2: “Fly in a Web” was launched on May 5, 2022.
• Chapter 3: “Deep Sleep” was released on Jan. 30, 2024.

The fourth installment, Chapter 4: “Safe Haven,”  is scheduled for release on Jan. 30, 2025.

Mob Entertainment reports over 40 million downloads across platforms and a forthcoming film adaptation by Legendary Entertainment.

However, Mob Entertainment claims the unauthorized apps, which have been downloaded over 1 million times, have tarnished the franchise’s reputation. The lawsuit points to the scam games’ “many grammatical mistakes,” “ugly color scheme,” and exorbitant costs as damaging to their brand.

“These fraudulent games exploit the trust and enthusiasm of our fans,” Mob Entertainment wrote in the filing. “They represent a blatant attempt to profit from our intellectual property while delivering nothing of value.”

The lawsuit also highlights Google’s failure to act promptly and effectively. Mob Entertainment issued DMCA takedown notices in December, leading to the temporary removal of the scam games. However, the apps reappeared on the Google Play store just days later. The company alleges that Google’s inaction has enabled the continued proliferation of fraudulent content, exacerbating the harm to its brand.