VR developer VRWOOD is “exploring all attainable choices” to shield its IP after claiming that HoYoverse’s upcoming Animal Crossing-like sport, Petit Planet, bears “hanging similarities” to its personal sport, Little Planet.
Little Planet launched on Meta Quest simply final week, after releasing in early entry again in November of 2023. The sport is an Animal Crossing-like VR life sim sandbox the place gamers can craft customizable decorations and customise…effectively, a bit of planet, make mates with speaking animal neighbors, gown up, play video games, fish, and work together on-line with different gamers by way of a multiplayer planet often called the StarNexus.. Whereas developer VRWOOD has acknowledged the sport’s similarities to Animal Crossing, he is said the real inspiration for it was the 1943 French story The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry.
Which is kind of attention-grabbing, VRWOOD identified to us, as a result of The Little Prince was precisely what we considered after we previewed Petit Planet final week, having by no means heard of Little Planet prior. Like Little Planet, Petit Planet can be a life sim sandbox sport that takes place on a small planet, options Animal Crossing-like gameplay, animal residents, crafting and customization, and even on-line options letting you craft and play alongside mates, equally happening on a separate multiplayer planet often called the Galactic Bazaar. The most important distinction appears to be a better funds and Little Planet being a VR sport, however VRWOOD informed us that it has plans for PC, console, and even cellular releases down the road. Petit Planet is presently introduced for PC and cellular. Each video games are free-to-play
Most crucial, although, is Little Planet’s declare that it obtained right here first. Little Planet entered early entry in November of 2023 and formally launched simply final week, whereas Petit Planet’s trademark was registered in October of 2024, the sport itself wasn’t introduced till this previous September, and it is not but out. What’s extra, though it is out in beta type, it feels like it might nonetheless want some improvement time, given the reviews that the beta still includes AI-generated text.
“We’re disheartened to discover that, solely days after the discharge of Little Planet, a serious writer and developer has introduced a sport with hanging similarities starting from the title, setting, and options to even the acknowledged inspiration,” stated Frank Zhaung, CEO of VRWOOD and Little Planet artistic director. “Little Planet has been obtainable in early entry since November 15, 2023, practically a full 12 months prior to HoYoverse submitting a trademark software on October 31, 2024. We’re exploring all attainable choices to shield our mental property and future plans, which embrace releases on cellular gadgets, in addition to PC and console.”
IGN has reached out to HoYoverse for remark.
Rebekah Valentine is a senior reporter for IGN. You’ll find her posting on BlueSky @duckvalentine.bsky.social. Obtained a narrative tip? Ship it to rvalentine@ign.com.