InnerSloth developers have shown their frustration at Fortnite‘s new Imposters mode, with many similarities to Among Us; all while the team had been trying to officially collaborate with Epic Games.
Fortnite previously had their limited time The Spy Within Mode, which featured gameplay akin to Among Us; two players secretly working against the group. Now, Epic Games have announced the game’s Imposters mode.
Once again ten players have two saboteurs among them. While Agents attempt to complete their tasks, the Imposters must kill the Agents off and sabotage them- without getting voted out in the process. Imposters also have abilities to teleport players away, or force everyone to look the same for a short time.
You can find the announcement trailer below.
It was not just gamers pointing out the comparisons between the new mode and InnerSloth’s Among Us (including how the saboteur is known as the Imposter in both games). Several of the game’s developers also expressed their frustrations (as reported by Eurogamer).
While Lead Unity Programmer Adriel Wallick linked to the Nedroid Comics “I made this” comic. Programmer Gary Porter highlighted the similarities in layout between The Bridge map of the Imposters mode, and Among Us‘ Skeld map.
“We didn’t patent the Among Us mechanics. I don’t think that leads to a healthy game industry,” InnerSloth co-founder Marcus Bromander tweeted. “Is it really that hard to put 10% more effort into putting your own spin on it though?”
When others inquired if InnerSloth could have patented the game’s mechanics, Bromander replied “If WB can patent a Nemesis System and Square can patent the ATB system we could patent the tasks system for example.”
Community Director Victoria Tran tweeted that they would have liked to have collaborated with Epic Games, but also criticized Fortnite‘s lack of unique spin. Speaking to PC Gamer, Tran confirmed that InnerSloth were not working with Epic Games on the new mode. However, they could have done.
Bromander, in reply to another Twitter user disappointed Epic Games did not ask InnerSloth for help in development, revealed that the team had been attempting to work with Epic Games. “Worst part is we’ve been actively trying to collab with them.”
Did Epic Games do enough to make the mode their own? Should InnerSloth have any grounds to object over the simillarities? Sound off in the comments below!
