Weapons in video games are often inspired by real counterparts or directly reflect them. Currently, there is a discussion about whether the AK-47 manufacturer Kalashnikov has turned the tables. A new futuristic shotgun design is claimed to have been stolen from the upcoming shooter “Oceanic”, says the developer Ward B. But what is really behind this?
What has happened? Like David against Goliath, indie developer Ward B is currently going up against the world-renowned weapon manufacturer Kalashnikov. The accusation: a shotgun design is said to have been stolen from their developing shooter Oceanic (via youtube.com). Kalashnikov denies all allegations, while the indie developer claims to have evidence supporting the accusations.
MP-155 Ultima: This is why the accusations lead to no resolution
What is the accusation? Developer Ward B claims that the Russian shotgun MP-155 Ultima is a product of their intellectual property. However, weapons manufacturer Kalashnikov denies all allegations – almost all of them. At the first announcement of the weapon, they actually stated that the futuristic design was inspired by several video games (via facebook.com).
According to Ward B CEO Marcellino Sauceda, a contractor from Kalashnikov contacted him a year ago. They wanted to implement the weapon “Mastodon EPM-28” from Oceanic as a real weapon. Allegedly, the Kalashnikov employee promised to name the developer as the owner of the design.
Now, CEO Sauceda is speaking publicly again on this debate. He explains that he thought he had missed the confirmation for the licensing deal when he saw the MP-155 in an online showcase. When he checked the Kalashnikov website, there was no mention of Oceanic or Ward B. For a while, the developer studio waited and hoped for news from the weapon manufacturer – in vain.
I already had a suspicion that the contractor would not come back.
Sauceda to IGN
Ward B’s Oceanic EPM-28 (Source: artstation.com) 
Kalashnikov MP-155 Ultima (Source: TFB.com)
What are the next steps? The Russian weapons manufacturer continues to deny that the shotgun was stolen from Oceanic. Therefore, they also used the design further in 2020 and 2021 without paying tribute to Ward B. After all, there is no evidence.
Whether the weapon actually originates from Oceanic or not, developer Ward B cannot improve their situation in this case. For a legal dispute at this level, the team does not have nearly enough resources, says CEO Sauceda.
What are the consequences? It is difficult to say whether Kalashnikov really stole the design from the upcoming multiplayer shooter. The weapons indeed look very similar, but there are significant differences in some areas.
Currently, there are no consequences for anyone. However, Ward B is now being much more careful about sharing artworks or concept designs online. The team wants to prevent another case like this.
For the team behind Oceanic, this is a huge loss, as the PR that a deal with Kalashnikov would have brought is enormous. Instead, the survival shooter “Escape From Tarkov” is now doing PR for Kalashnikov. Since this year, players of Tarkov can earn or purchase the MP-155 Ultima and customize it according to their needs.
