Bluehole Calls Game Similarities “Too Close for Comfort”
The game industry is a dynamic and innovative space where developers are constantly building one another’s ideas, albeit without permission. But, there’s never really been a necessity for that. Bluehole, the developers behind PLAYERUNKNOWN’s Battlegrounds, seem to think otherwise.
In their latest press release, the folks over at Bluehole couldn’t help but express a measure of duress over the similarities between their game and Epic Games’ new Battle Royale mode for Fortnite. Both games include players dropping on an island, scavenging, and engaging in a last-man-standing match. And because of the startling similarities, Bluehole’s VP and Executive Producer, Chang Han Kim, is contemplating “further action.”
“We’ve had an ongoing relationship with Epic Games throughout PUBG’s development as they are the creators of UE4, the engine we licensed for the game,” Kim said in a press release. “After listening to the growing feedback from our community and reviewing the gameplay for ourselves, we are concerned that Fortnite may be replicating the experience for which PUBG is known.”
The developers of Bluehole have taken into consideration some of the differences between Fortnite’s Battle Royale and PUBG; however, Epic Games has previously issued statements comparing the two experiences in a manner that’s almost a selling point. This has not sat well with Kim.
“We have also noticed that Epic Games references PUBG in the promotion of Fortnite to their community and in communications with the press,” Kim continued. “This was never discussed with us and we don’t feel that it’s right.”
Brendan Green aka PLAYERUNKNOWN previously claimed games that would take after his brainchild. The press release cites this moment from a recent Reddit AMA:
“Other companies will, of course, enter the marketplace, but I would just hope they put their own spin on the game mode and not just make a carbon copy!”
As far as a casual observer can tell, Fornite is a very different game in that it allows players to harvest resources and built entire structures. Of course, it’s not difficult to see where Chang Han Kim is coming from. He ended with the following statement:
“The PUBG community has and continues to provide evidence of the many similarities as we contemplate further action.”
Have you played PUBG or Fortnite? Do you believe the similarities are “too close for comfort?” Let us know your thoughts on these turn of events in the comments down below.
SOURCE: Press Release