Indie game developer Michal Kamm has publicly accused Hoyoverse, the renowned studio behind Zenless Zone Zero and Genshin Impact, of copying core elements from his puzzle game Ouros in a minigame featured within Zenless Zone Zero. This allegation comes after Kamm noticed striking similarities between his game and a limited-time event minigame in Zenless Zone Zero released last year.
Quick Facts — Ouros
| Developer | Michal Kamm |
|---|---|
| Platform(s) | PC |
| Release Date | 2024 |
| Score | Very positive (Steam, <250 reviews) |
The heart of the issue lies in the gameplay mechanics and design elements that Kamm claims are mirrored. In Ouros, players manipulate a track to guide a moving ball into intersecting with numbered targets arranged in complex configurations, requiring creative track bending to succeed. Similarly, the minigame in Zenless Zone Zero involves bending a track around numbered targets. Furthermore, both games feature portals that teleport the ball to the start of the track, a direction reversal button, and a hint system showcasing the intended track shape. Kamm's video evidence highlights these similarities, aiming to clarify the originality of Ouros, which was released in 2024 to a very positive reception on Steam, with nearly 250 reviews praising its innovative puzzle design.
About Ouros and the Accusation
Ouros, developed by Michal Kamm, is a puzzle game that has garnered a very positive review on Steam with less than 250 reviews, indicating a strong reception from its player base. The accusation against Hoyoverse is not the studio's first; previously, developers of Map Map – A Game About Maps accused Hoyoverse of copying elements from their game's demo in a Genshin Impact minigame, notably the map marker mechanic.
Kamm's motivation for speaking out stems from comments by Zenless Zone Zero fans suggesting Ouros copied from the minigame, despite Ouros being released first. As Kamm stated in his video, "It's Basically The Same Game," highlighting the confusion and the implications for his work's originality.
The Similarities and Implications
The similarities between Ouros and the Zenless Zone Zero minigame are multifaceted:
- Track Manipulation: Both games feature a moving ball that must be guided into numbered targets through track manipulation.
- Portals: Teleport the ball back to the track's start in both games.
- Direction Reversal Button: Allows changing the ball's direction mid-game.
- Hint System: Provides the intended track shape to aid players.
These similarities, especially considering the timing (with Zenless Zone Zero's version appearing in a limited-time event after Ouros's release), form the crux of Kamm's accusation. The implications extend beyond mere similarity, touching on originality and the challenges indie developers face against larger studios.
Community and Industry Response
The response from the Zenless Zone Zero and Hoyoverse community has ranged from antipathy to outright hostility towards Kamm and the accusations. Some defenders have suggested that even if copying occurred, it could serve as unintended marketing for the indie games. However, for developers like Kamm, the issue is not just about visibility but also about credit for original work.
"Last year, miHoYo copied my puzzle game Ouros in Zenless Zone Zero. Because they are a recognized, billion-dollar studio and my game isn't well known, some people are now assuming that their version is the original, and mine is the clone. I hope this video clears that up."
Michael Kamm (@michaelkamm)
What This Means for Players and Developers
This accusation highlights a broader issue within the gaming industry regarding intellectual property and the influence of larger studios on indie developers. For players, it raises questions about the originality of content within popular games. While game development often involves inspiration from existing titles, the line between inspiration and copying can be thin, and accusations like these prompt a closer look at ethical practices in game design.
Kotaku has reached out to both Michal Kamm and Hoyoverse for comment. As the gaming community awaits a response, Ouros remains available on PC, boasting its very positive Steam reviews, while Map Map offers a playable demo, giving players a firsthand look at the games at the center of the controversy.
Key Takeaways
Key Takeaways
- Indie dev Michal Kamm accuses Hoyoverse of copying Ouros in Zenless Zone Zero's minigame.
- The minigame features track manipulation, portals, direction reversal, and a hint system, all present in Ouros.
- Hoyoverse has faced previous copying accusations, notably with Map Map and Genshin Impact.
- Community response has been largely hostile towards the accusations.
As the situation unfolds, the focus will be on Hoyoverse's response and how the industry navigates the fine line between inspiration and plagiarism. For now, players can experience Ouros firsthand on PC and form their own opinions on the similarities at hand.
