The hero shooter Paladins is often accused of being an Overwatch clone. Developer Hi-Rez handles this accusation with mixed feelings.
An article has appeared on the US site Gamespot analyzing how the Paladins developers Hi-Rez deal with the accusation that their Paladins is just an Overwatch clone.
A video by YouTuber “videogamedonkey” has over 3.4 million views and highlights the clear parallels between Overwatch and Paladins. The video has circulated widely, leading to many “attacks” online.
In September, Paladins addressed these accusations on Reddit. They stated, “Much of what we completed was done long before Overwatch. Yes, there are parallels, but these arise from the fact that Overwatch and Paladins share the same influences and predecessors, not because one game copied the other.”
However, many more people know the video by Donkey rather than the Hi-Rez site.
Hi-Rez knew what was coming when they saw the first announcement of Overwatch
How do such accusations affect the developers?
They handle it quite pragmatically. The accusations did not surprise Hi-Rez. They knew what was coming when they saw the first announcement for Overwatch. It was clear how similar Blizzard’s new game would be to what they were themselves bringing to Steam.
In the Closed Alpha, they spent a lot of time thinking: Should we differentiate ourselves more from Overwatch? Do we need to change our plans? However, they decided to go ahead and make the game they wanted to create, which promised the most fun.
A stroke of luck for the marketing team
At Hi-Rez, they see the accusations as a mixed bag. It hurts to be attacked after putting so many hours and heart into your own project. However, on the other hand: People are talking about Paladins because of it. The comparisons with Overwatch have been a blessing for the marketing team. Donkey’s video generated a lot of “buzz” and showed that fans are passionately discussing Paladins.
That’s much better than not getting any reaction at all.
More on the topic:
- Paladins vs Overwatch – How the hero shooters differ
- Paladins: Not an Overwatch clone! Really not! – Developer gives explanation
Want to see Paladins for yourself? Visit the official website and play Paladins for free (Free2Play)
