VRWOOD, a renowned VR developer, is currently reviewing all avenues to safeguard its intellectual property following claims that HoYoverse’s soon-to-launch game, Petit Planet, shares “striking similarities” with VRWOOD’s Little Planet.
Debuting on Meta Quest last week, Little Planet emerged from its early access phase, which began in November 2023. This vibrant VR life simulator offers a whimsical experience where players can craft unique decorations and personalize their own miniature planet. Players can also engage with talking animal neighbors, partake in dress-up activities, fish, and enjoy online multiplayer adventures in the StarNexus. While VRWOOD acknowledges the parallels with Animal Crossing, the real muse for Little Planet was the 1943 French classic, The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry.
Interestingly, The Little Prince was also a point of reference when Petit Planet was previewed last week. Despite not being familiar with Little Planet at that time, the resemblance was evident. Similar to Little Planet, Petit Planet is a life simulation game set on a diminutive planet, offering gameplay reminiscent of Animal Crossing. Players can interact with animal residents, craft, and customize, with online features allowing cooperative play on the Galactic Bazaar. The primary distinctions lie in Petit Planet’s larger budget and Little Planet’s VR aspect. VRWOOD has future plans for PC, console, and mobile versions, while Petit Planet is slated for PC and mobile launch. Both games are following a free-to-play model.
Two Worlds, Same Inspiration
A major point of contention revolves around Little Planet’s assertion of precedence. Having entered early access in November 2023 and launched last week, its development timeline predates Petit Planet’s trademark registration in October 2024. Though Petit Planet’s beta is accessible, it seems further development is needed, with reports highlighting the inclusion of AI-generated text.
Frank Zhaung, CEO of VRWOOD and creative director of Little Planet, expressed disappointment over the similarities in both games’ titles, themes, and features. “Little Planet has been available in early access since November 15, 2023, nearly a full year before HoYoverse filed for a trademark on October 31, 2024,” Zhaung stated. He emphasized that VRWOOD is committed to protecting its intellectual property and has plans for future mobile, PC, and console releases.