Zenless Zone Zero ‘copied my puzzle game,’ indie dev says, posts a pretty convincing video to prove it
Indie developer Michael Kamm has accused MiHoYo of copying his puzzle game Ouros and incorporating it into Zenless Zone Zero, the free-to-play action title. Kamm provided comparative video evidence to support his plagiarism claim, demonstrating the similarities between the puzzle mechanics in his independent game and those added to Zenless Zone Zero in 2025.
This marks the second intellectual property theft allegation against MiHoYo within a month, suggesting a potential pattern of the major publisher drawing from smaller independent projects without proper attribution or licensing. Kamm stated he is bringing attention to the matter now because he has been incorrectly accused of copying from Zenless Zone Zero, when the timeline and mechanics suggest the reverse occurred.
Kamm’s release of comparative video evidence lends credibility to his claim, allowing the gaming community to independently verify the similarities. The case highlights ongoing concerns within the indie development community about larger companies leveraging the work of independent creators without recognition or compensation. Such incidents underscore the power imbalance between major publishers with significant resources and smaller independent developers who often lack the means for legal recourse.
MiHoYo has not publicly responded to the allegations. The situation may prompt broader industry discussions about intellectual property protection, proper attribution practices, and accountability of major gaming studios toward the independent development community.