Nodusfall stirs controversy: Is HoYoverse copying Elden Ring or pioneering a new genre?

When HoYoverse unveiled Nodusfall, the first highlight was a dramatic shift: the Chinese developer, known for anime-style gacha games, is now venturing into realistic dark fantasy. Yet within hours of the trailer's release, the name Elden Ring flooded comments. An image of a winged character reminded players of Malenia; a white-haired woman was compared to Melina. Many posts directly called Nodusfall a 'rip-off.' Elden Ring, developed by FromSoftware and released in February 2026, not only won GOTY 2026 but also became the benchmark for the soulslike genre. Its influence has led many emerging developers to imitate its challenging combat, bleak world, and mysterious settings. It is in this environment that Nodusfall appears, and it almost instantly faces anger from a portion of the community that argues 'inspiration' cannot justify visual similarities. The hashtag 'rip-off' flooded social media within hours, signaling a new controversy in the gaming industry. However, this is only the beginning. A closer analysis reveals a forgotten detail: Nodusfall is not a typical single-player game but focuses on cooperative boss hunting with up to four players. HoYoverse seems to aim for a blend of Elden Ring and Monster Hunter—a difference in gameplay. If the actual combat feels dependent on team coordination, comparing the two games becomes meaningless. But since everything so far is only a trailer, the community lacks sufficient data to condemn. This is like watching a sprinter run ten meters and then concluding he cannot finish a marathon. On the legal front, experts argue that game mechanics are hard to protect under copyright law. Dark fantasy and soulslike elements are not inventions of FromSoftware. A winged character resembling Malenia does not necessarily constitute copying. Lawyers might see it differently, but in public opinion, the line between 'borrowing ideas' and 'plagiarism' is drawn by sentiment. Currently, the accusation that Nodusfall is a clone of Elden Ring is only an opinion from a segment of gamers; no official conclusion exists. Yet the negativity could harm pre-launch sales, especially in Western markets where Elden Ring has a massive fanbase. From a business perspective, HoYoverse is making a massive bet. They are leaving the safety of their familiar gacha model to pursue a high-cost realistic graphics project, directly challenging FromSoftware, the genre leader. Financial strength means they do not have to worry about losses; the real price is reputation. If the 'copycat' narrative persists, their brand could suffer long-term damage. But if Nodusfall succeeds, it will prove that a studio known for anime games can still deliver a world-class action RPG, opening new doors for many other Chinese developers. The debate also reflects a larger issue: the rise of Chinese games amid a shifting global industry. Japanese studios like FromSoftware have long led this demanding genre, while Chinese companies have capital and scale but remain suspected of lacking creativity. Nodusfall becomes the focus of that skepticism. Some comments even carry regional prejudice, suggesting Chinese games only imitate. In reality, every game learns from predecessors; the line between 'influence' and 'copying' is not always clear. Many analysts believe this backlash could be turned into a marketing advantage. If HoYoverse soon releases extended gameplay focusing on four-player co-op boss hunts, the narrative will shift. Instead of being seen as a copycat, Nodusfall might be recognized as a creative fusion. This is like in sports: a team criticized before a match often gains extra motivation to prove itself. However, if the actual gameplay at launch still feels too similar to Elden Ring, the storm will return with far greater force, as the community will feel their initial accusations were justified. As someone writing about esports, I see a parallel between this controversy and how fans judge a player based on just a few minutes on the field. We often jump to conclusions too quickly, based on fragmented evidence, forgetting that the full picture only appears at the end of the game. Nodusfall is still in its early stage, with no release date or actual gameplay footage. At this point, all opinions are speculation. Yet I believe that a serious game with a large budget and clear ambition will not deliberately turn itself into a copy of a legend. HoYoverse knows they need to be different to survive. In the long run, this incident might spark a broader discussion on copyright and creativity in game development, just like debates over copied tactics in sports tournaments. The difference is that in sports, no one owns tactics; in games, artistic design draws more attention. But if we treat Nodusfall fairly, like a new athlete whose real performance we wait to see, this controversy will be a minor footnote in the game's history. If we only look at a few images and rush to verdicts, we might miss a worthwhile piece. Everything remains unresolved. HoYoverse must respond with actions, not words. A new trailer, a gameplay showcase, or a release date announcement will be decisive steps. For fans, let the debate burn, but do not let it destroy our patience. After all, the quality of a game, like the talent of an athlete, is only proven on the real stage, where every eye is on the screen and every frame is replayed so that nothing is missed.