NetEase Games announces shutdown of Hyper Front on April 10, 2023
NetEase Games has announced that its online shooter-based game, Hyper Front, will shut down its services on April 10, 2023. The game, which featured competitive five-vs-five tactical matches, was seen by many fans as a knockoff of the popular video game, Valorant.
Why is Hyper Front Closing?
While the official reasons behind the shutdown have not been disclosed, there have been speculations that the game’s resemblance to Valorant may have played a part in its closure. In fact, Riot Games, the developer of Valorant, sued NetEase Games for producing a copycat version of their game in December 2022.
What is Hyper Front?
Hyper Front offered players a variety of characters with different power-ups and weapons to choose from, as well as two in-game battle modes. Despite these features, the game’s similarities to Valorant were striking, from its gameplay options to its sci-fi environment. While it is not uncommon for game developers to draw inspiration from popular titles, it appears that Hyper Front’s resemblance to Valorant may have been its downfall.
The news of Hyper Front’s shutdown has come as a disappointment to its fans who enjoyed its tactical gameplay and sci-fi atmosphere.
The game had gained a significant following since its release in 2021, with players praising its smooth controls and intuitive user interface. However, the game’s uncanny resemblance to Valorant had drawn criticism from the gaming community, with many accusing NetEase Games of plagiarism.
NetEase Games has not yet commented on the impact that the game’s shutdown will have on its employees. The company has a reputation for being one of the largest and most successful gaming companies in China, with a focus on developing mobile games and online services.
It is unclear whether the company will continue to support other online shooter games or if this shutdown marks the end of their venture into the genre.
As the video game industry continues to grow, there is a growing demand for original content that sets games apart from their competitors. While it is natural for developers to draw inspiration from successful titles, the line between inspiration and imitation can be blurry.
As such, Hyper Front’s shutdown may serve as a cautionary tale for other game developers, reminding them of the importance of originality and avoiding the risk of copyright infringement.
