HoYoverse recently dropped HSR Sunday’s trailer, which has sparked controversy about HoYoverse copying Onmyoji’s content.
HoYoverse’s Honkai Star Rail has found itself under fire after the release of Sunday’s character trailer, with accusations of plagiarism from the popular game Onmyoji by NetEase. Let’s dive into the controversy and what it could mean for both games.
The Allegations on HSR Sunday’s Trailer
The controversy began when players and fans of Onmyoji pointed out striking similarities between Sunday’s trailer and promotional material from their game. Specific scenes, themes, and even the overall aesthetic of the Honkai Star Rail trailer seem to closely mirror elements from Onmyoji’s promotional content (the Jinkougyou trailer).
Fans and analysts have pointed out specific elements that seem to overlap:
- Visual Themes: The use of similar art styles, character framing, and color palettes in the trailers.
- Scene Composition: Certain key moments in Sunday’s trailer appear almost identical to sequences in Onmyoji’s promotional videos.
- Symbolic Imagery: Both trailers emphasize ritualistic and celestial imagery, sparking accusations that HoYoverse borrowed heavily from Onmyoji’s creative approach.
This has led to a heated debate among players of both games, as well as significant online backlash against HoYoverse. These allegations have fueled discussions about originality and ethical practices in game marketing and content creation.
HoYoverse’s Response to Plagiarism Matter
HoYoverse has yet to release an official statement addressing the accusations. Fans of Honkai Star Rail are divided, with some calling for transparency and an apology if the claims hold merit. Others argue that the similarities could be coincidental or stem from shared cultural inspirations rather than deliberate copying.
NetEase, the developer behind Onmyoji, has not taken legal action as of now but has made it clear that they are unhappy with the perceived lack of originality in HoYoverse’s work.
Well, if the allegations are true, accusations of plagiarism can have significant implications for game developers.
For HoYoverse, this controversy could tarnish their reputation and impact the launch of Sunday, a character intended to be a key draw for Version 2.7 of Honkai Star Rail. It also raises questions about the creative processes behind high-budget games and the need for originality in a competitive industry. On the other hand, NetEase may see a surge in interest for Onmyoji as the controversy draws attention to their game and its artistic achievements.
For now, we will have to wait and see how the situation unfolds.
