HoYoverse is facing fresh criticism after an indie developer publicly claimed that puzzle mechanics from his game were used in Zenless Zone Zero.
The accusation comes from Michael Kamm, creator of the puzzle game Ouros. According to Kamm, he decided to speak out after repeatedly seeing players accuse Ouros of copying Zenless Zone Zero, despite his game being released earlier.
Kamm stated that he found the situation frustrating because many people assumed his work was a clone of Zenless, while he believes the timeline suggests the opposite.
The discussion gained significant attention after Kamm uploaded comparison footage showing similarities between the two games. The video quickly spread across social media, with many users pointing out what they considered notable overlaps in gameplay design.
Among the similarities highlighted were:
curve manipulation mechanics
ball-transporting portals
direction-reversal switches
and fog-like visual backgrounds
Some players argued that the combination of these elements appeared unusually specific, leading to further debate over whether the resemblance was coincidental, inspired by similar sources, or something more substantial.
However, not everyone agreed with Kamm’s claims. Some users pointed out that Ouros itself shares similarities with a browser-based puzzle title called Primo.
In response, Kamm argued that Primo resembles an even older project of his own called Splines ‘n Shapes, which he says dates back to 2020.
As a result, the controversy has evolved into a broader discussion about inspiration, iteration, and originality in game design. Many developers and players have noted that puzzle mechanics often build upon existing ideas, making it difficult to determine where inspiration ends and imitation begins.
It is also important to note that, as of now, no legal action has been announced and no official ruling has determined whether any intellectual property infringement occurred.
The situation has nevertheless attracted widespread attention because it is not the first time HoYoverse has faced public accusations regarding similarities between its games and other projects. As a result, discussions surrounding game design influences and originality continue to receive increased scrutiny within the gaming community.
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