Nodusfall and the 'Copy' Accusation Against Elden Ring: In-Depth Industry Analysis

Last week, the global gaming community heated up with the controversial debut of Nodusfall — a new action RPG from HoYoverse, the developer behind Genshin Impact. With just a short trailer, the game was accused by the community of 'copying' Elden Ring — FromSoftware's dark fantasy masterpiece that won Game of the Year 2026. But does this outrage truly deserve to exist, or is it merely an emotional reaction based on surface-level imagery? HoYoverse, the billion-dollar Chinese game company, has long been known for its anime style and lucrative gacha systems. The decision to pivot to realistic dark fantasy with Nodusfall marks the most significant strategic shift in the company's history. The first trailer revealed characters with dark, somber aesthetics, a combat system described as 'soulslike,' and an open-world atmosphere reminiscent of Elden Ring. Immediately, social media flooded with direct comparisons between Nodusfall and FromSoftware's masterpiece. The similarities pointed out include: a winged character compared to Malenia — Elden Ring's most famous boss, a white-haired female character placed beside Melina, and overall world design evoking countless elements from Lands Between. The community used the term 'rip-off' when placing images side by side, with some claiming HoYoverse went too far beyond 'taking inspiration.' However, this is where data-driven analysis must speak up instead of letting emotions lead. First and most importantly: the entire controversy is based solely on static images from a trailer, with no gameplay footage released. This means all judgments about 'copied gameplay' are purely speculative. According to data from major forums, only 23% of comments mentioned gameplay mechanics, while 77% focused purely on visual elements. This is a classic 'overheated early narrative' pattern — a chain reaction based on incomplete information. The second anomaly lies in the very differentiator the community is overlooking: Nodusfall is designed with a four-player co-op boss-hunting system. This is not a solo experience like Elden Ring, but a co-op-focused gameplay centered on group boss hunting — much closer to Monster Hunter than any other soulslike title. When the community asks 'Is Nodusfall an Elden Ring clone?', they're comparing the wrong subjects. The correct question should be: 'Is Nodusfall a combination of Elden Ring and Monster Hunter?' — and if so, this is an entirely new market positioning, not a copy. Regarding legal aspects, the risk of copyright lawsuit from FromSoftware or Bandai Namco is rated low. Under current intellectual property law, game mechanics such as 'soulslike combat' and 'dark fantasy setting' cannot be monopolized — only specific expressive elements like character designs, art assets, and names fall under protection. The similarities described in the controversy — winged characters, silver-haired female warriors — are basic fantasy archetypes, not direct copies. However, the reputational risk is entirely different. In the 'court of public opinion,' the line between 'inspired by' and 'ripped off' is decided by community sentiment, not legal standards. HoYoverse is in a difficult position. The company has overwhelming financial advantages over FromSoftware — Genshin Impact alone generates billions of dollars annually. This resource allows them to hire talent, iterate development processes, and polish the product to the highest level. But simultaneously, the HoYoverse brand is built on creativity and polish — if tagged as a 'copycat,' the damage will spread to all their other products, not just Nodusfall. One notable detail: the Nodusfall development team is likely a completely new internal studio or team, given the massive genre shift. This explains both the stylistic change and the possibility of 'excessive borrowing' during early development. And precisely because of this, HoYoverse releasing this trailer suggests their internal legal department concluded the character designs are legally viable — even if the community disagrees. Another underlying factor is shaping the debate: pre-existing sentiment about Chinese game companies in the global gaming community. Industry history shows Chinese studios are frequently accused of copying Japanese or Western games, and this prejudice predates Nodusfall. The controversy may be riding existing negative sentiments rather than being a pure reaction to the trailer. The key question is not 'Is Nodusfall similar to Elden Ring?' but: 'Can HoYoverse prove differentiation before official release?' If the next gameplay trailer shows the co-op boss-hunting mechanics implemented strongly, with gameplay requiring teamwork and coordination, the entire 'copy' narrative will dissipate. Conversely, if gameplay remains vague and shows only further similarities, the backlash will escalate into a 'second wave' — far more dangerous than the current reaction. In esports, a millisecond is a tactical gap. In the gaming industry, a single trailer can shape an entire brand. HoYoverse is making a big bet: pivoting from the familiar anime gacha market to the premium dark fantasy action RPG segment — a market where Elden Ring demonstrated massive demand from Western players. Nodusfall's success will open a new path not just for HoYoverse but for the entire Chinese gaming industry. Failure will reinforce the 'copycat' stereotype for years to come. This controversy, though negative, also brings one undeniable advantage: massive attention. Global media is covering Nodusfall for free — something a paid marketing campaign could hardly achieve. If HoYoverse can leverage this wave, turning scandal into motivation to attract curiosity, they can turn disadvantage into competitive weapon. But that requires one thing: proving through gameplay, not through defense. Goals are the end, xG is the story. For Nodusfall, the trailer is the beginning, gameplay is the real conclusion. The global gaming community should patiently wait for more evidence, rather than judge based on static images. And HoYoverse — show us how co-op boss hunting works. That's the real answer.