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NMS Creator Mocks Once Human Cosmetic Similarity

NMS Creator Mocks Once Human Cosmetic Similarity
Sean Murray mocks 'Once Human' game for alleged 'No Man's Sky' asset similarity.

In a digital age where asset originality is frequently debated, Hello Games co-founder Sean Murray has responded with characteristic wit to allegations that a premium cosmetic item in the upcoming survival title Once Human bears an "extremely similar" resemblance to a key object from No Man's Sky. Murray's amused reaction, laced with a technical jab, has fueled discussion across the gaming community and beyond Reddit, where the controversy first erupted.

The Allegations: From Teleporter to 'Exercise Bike'

The core of the dispute centers on a circular Base Teleport Module from No Man's Sky, a cornerstone of the sci-fi sandbox adventure launched on August 9, 2016. Fans on Reddit, notably user u/Koyonaku, highlighted that a cosmetic item in Once Human appears to repurpose this familiar asset. Described as a sci-fi exercise bike, the Once Human version reportedly adds a simple bicycle frame and a fresh coat of paint to the distinctive circular structure.

Adding fuel to the fire, the contentious item in Once Human is not a reward earned through gameplay. Instead, it is exclusively obtainable as the highest-tier reward within a premium lootbox, often requiring significant financial outlay from players. This monetization strategy has drawn criticism, contrasting sharply with the creative freedom often associated with asset use.

Sean Murray's Humorous Retort

The controversy quickly caught the attention of Sean Murray, head of No Man's Sky developer Hello Games. Taking to X (formerly Twitter), Murray’s response was one of amusement rather than indignation. He quipped, "Jokes on them. We forgot to LOD those rivets." This technical remark refers to the "Level of Detail" (LOD) — a common optimization technique in game development where models are simplified when viewed from a distance to save performance. Murray's comment humorously implies the asset was somewhat unfinished, potentially posing performance issues if implemented without proper optimization.

A History of Similar Accusations?

This isn't the first time developer Starry Studio’s Once Human has faced scrutiny over alleged asset inspiration. Reddit user Koyonaku also pointed to a prior incident involving an icon that purportedly bore a strong resemblance to branding from Ubisoft's Rainbow Six franchise, which was reportedly "quietly replaced" after community discussion. IGN has reached out to Starry Studio for comment on the current allegations.

No Man's Sky: A Beacon of Continuous Innovation

The alleged asset repurposing unfolds as No Man's Sky itself enjoys a period of unprecedented success. Almost a decade since its initial launch, the game recently celebrated its best-ever player numbers, a testament to Hello Games' commitment to continuous improvement and free content updates. Recent major updates include:

  • Breach Update: Introduced the ability for players to salvage wrecks and unlock an array of new ship building parts.
  • Voyagers Update: Expanded multiplayer capabilities with ship crew options and added exciting features like skydiving, alongside numerous other enhancements.

This ongoing evolution underscores the innovative spirit of No Man's Sky, offering a stark contrast to the claims of asset imitation circulating around Once Human.