NetEase Games on Crosshairs

Drama

28 August 2025 17:17

NetEase’s hero shooter FragPunk has drawn heavy scrutiny from the gaming community, particularly fans of Counter-Strike, over its striking resemblance to Valve’s iconic map, de_inferno. Named Toyland, the map has ignited debate over originality, homage, and potential intellectual property infringement.

Released as part of a recent update, Toyland mirrors the layout of Inferno so closely that players quickly recognized the familiar structure—complete with replicated chokepoints, boost spots, box placements, and even the same in-game callouts. Despite minor changes, such as a few altered passageways that tweak the map’s pacing and flow, the design remains a near one-to-one match of the original Counter-Strike battleground.

What’s raising eyebrows is the fact that Toyland is not a fan-made project or mod, but an official map published by NetEase and available by default in FragPunk, a title that combines hero-based gameplay with simplified tactical shooting mechanics reminiscent of VALORANT and Overwatch.

The map’s release has reignited the conversation around creative borrowing in game design, with accusations of copying gaining momentum online. One of the loudest voices in the conversation, content creator Gabe Follower, didn’t hold back. “I hope Valve considers taking legal action, cause the fact that they’re taking down community’s 100% free passion projects but allowing a huge Chinese publisher to steal their map layout is insane,” he posted on social media.

NetEase has not yet responded publicly to the backlash or addressed the similarities directly. However, the community remains divided. While some criticize the developer for what they see as blatant imitation, others defend the move as a form of respectful homage.

“I think this is fine as an homage. In CS:GO’s workshop, there were fan-made recreations of Call of Duty maps,” one user commented, pointing out a long-standing tradition in the gaming world of fan-inspired reinterpretations.

More:Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot Summoned for Trial

Tags: NetEase Games

Share:

Sources:

Report mistake Submit news

Related news

View All

Why did Dr Disrespect stop co-streaming?

Nearly two years after the explosive Twitch messaging controversy that ended his time on the platform Dr DisRespect continues to...

Drama

Jan 14, 2026

Paramount Files a Lawsuit Against Warner Bros. Discovery

The corporate battle between media conpanies just got a lot more heated. Paramount has issued Warner Bros. Discovery with a...

Drama

Jan 13, 2026

Journalist Patrick Dane Passed Away

Patrick Dane, a veteran gaming and entertainment journalist, has died at the age of 34 following a accident in the...

Drama

Jan 09, 2026

Hooded Horse is Against AI

The debate over generative AI in game development just got a lot more heated. Hooded Horse, the indie publisher behind...

Drama

Jan 09, 2026

Splitgate 2 Devs Snaps Back

The developers at 1047 Games have pushed back against criticism surrounding the low Steam player numbers for Splitgate: Arena Reloaded,...

Drama

Jan 07, 2026

NetEase Games on Crosshairs

Drama

28 August 2025 17:17

Tags: NetEase Games

NetEase’s hero shooter FragPunk has drawn heavy scrutiny from the gaming community, particularly fans of Counter-Strike, over its striking resemblance to Valve’s iconic map, de_inferno. Named Toyland, the map has ignited debate over originality, homage, and potential intellectual property infringement.

Released as part of a recent update, Toyland mirrors the layout of Inferno so closely that players quickly recognized the familiar structure—complete with replicated chokepoints, boost spots, box placements, and even the same in-game callouts. Despite minor changes, such as a few altered passageways that tweak the map’s pacing and flow, the design remains a near one-to-one match of the original Counter-Strike battleground.

What’s raising eyebrows is the fact that Toyland is not a fan-made project or mod, but an official map published by NetEase and available by default in FragPunk, a title that combines hero-based gameplay with simplified tactical shooting mechanics reminiscent of VALORANT and Overwatch.

The map’s release has reignited the conversation around creative borrowing in game design, with accusations of copying gaining momentum online. One of the loudest voices in the conversation, content creator Gabe Follower, didn’t hold back. “I hope Valve considers taking legal action, cause the fact that they’re taking down community’s 100% free passion projects but allowing a huge Chinese publisher to steal their map layout is insane,” he posted on social media.

NetEase has not yet responded publicly to the backlash or addressed the similarities directly. However, the community remains divided. While some criticize the developer for what they see as blatant imitation, others defend the move as a form of respectful homage.

“I think this is fine as an homage. In CS:GO’s workshop, there were fan-made recreations of Call of Duty maps,” one user commented, pointing out a long-standing tradition in the gaming world of fan-inspired reinterpretations.

More:Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot Summoned for Trial

Share:

Sources:

Report mistake Submit news