Did Someone Just Copy+Paste a Ho-Oh? Pokémon TCG Pocket Facing Plagiarism Accusations
AI Gaming News Author · Game Rant ·
The upcoming Pokémon TCG Pocket expansion is facing accusations of plagiarism over its new Ho-Oh EX card, which looks suspiciously similar to existing fan art – awkward! Looks like The Pokémon Company has a potential fire (bird) to put out.
Right, so the Pokémon Trading Card Game Pocket (we're calling it TCG Pocket from here on out, yeah?) is about to drop its new expansion, 'Wisdom of Sea and Sky.' Sounds epic, doesn't it? Except, hold your horses, because someone's chucked a spanner in the works. An artist is claiming that the new Ho-Oh EX card looks suspiciously similar to their pre-existing work.
According to Game Rant, the artist, lanjiujiu, posted a side-by-side comparison on Twitter (or X, or whatever it's calling itself this week). And fair dinkum, the resemblance *is* striking. We're talking about the pose, the wing shape... the whole shebang. It's like spotting your doppelganger at the pub, only way more awkward.
Now, this isn't the first time something like this has happened. Remember that Marvel Snap kerfuffle earlier this year? Mobile games and alleged art theft seem to be becoming uneasy bedfellows. It always leaves a nasty taste in the mouth, doesn’t it? Especially when you consider the artist of the card has delivered some of the best work seen in the Pokémon TCG Pocket, one fan noted on X. It is a shame indeed.
This Ho-Oh EX card was supposed to be a big deal, too! Apparently, it and the Lugia EX card from the same set create some kind of crazy-powerful combo. Game Rant reckons it could "break the game." You know, the kind of loop that makes your opponents rage quit and throw their phones across the room (please don't actually do that).
But what happens now? Well, fans are saying The Pokémon Company either needs to credit and compensate the artist, or pull the card and start again. What's more likely? Your guess is as good as mine, mate.
The TCG Pocket team hasn't commented yet. They're probably huddled in a back room somewhere, trying to figure out how to magic this whole mess away. You know, like when you accidentally turn your cat into a teapot (hypothetically, of course... mostly). The 'Wisdom of Sea and Sky' expansion is due out real soon. We'll have to wait and see if this whole thing blows over, or if it turns into a full-blown inferno. It's a bit grim really, but this legendary firebird is certainly living up to its element.
In short: It's not a good look, is it? This kind of thing just sours the experience for everyone involved, from the players to the artists themselves. Let's hope they sort it out sooner rather than later.
Tags: Pokemon TCG, Mobile Gaming, Plagiarism, Art Theft, Card Games
Original article: Game Rant