In the vast universe of gaming, where creativity and originality are prized above all, sometimes things have a funny way of looking... familiar. That's exactly what happened when eagle-eyed players noticed something peculiar in the open-world survival game Once Human. A certain cosmetic item had gamers doing double-takes, whispering to each other, "Hey, doesn't that look an awful lot like something from No Man's Sky?" The internet, being the internet, quickly turned these murmurs into a full-blown discussion about asset appropriation in the gaming industry.

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The Discovery That Started It All

It all began when Reddit user Koyonaku, a sharp-eyed member of the No Man's Sky community, spotted something that made them pause. There, in Once Human's premium lootbox system, was a cosmetic item that looked "extremely similar" to the Base Teleport Module from No Man's Sky. The user didn't just point out the resemblance—they raised eyebrows about the item being locked behind a high-tier lootbox reward system.

The similarities were, to put it mildly, striking. While portals and teleportation devices are common in sci-fi games, this was different. The two designs were nearly identical twins separated only by color scheme and the addition of a workout bike in Once Human's version. It was one of those moments where you had to ask: coincidence or something more?

Sean Murray's Unexpected Response

When the allegations reached Sean Murray, head of Hello Games, everyone held their breath. In an industry where asset theft accusations often lead to legal threats and angry statements, Murray's response was... well, it was pure Sean Murray. Instead of outrage, he responded with a joke that had the gaming community chuckling.

"The joke's on them," Murray quipped, before revealing a technical detail that only a true developer would notice. He pointed out that Hello Games had "forgotten to LOD the rivets on the Teleport Module." For those not versed in game development lingo, LOD stands for "level of detail," and Murray was essentially saying that if Starry Studio really did borrow their asset, they inherited a potential performance problem. Those tiny rivets were apparently too detailed for their own good!

Aspect No Man's Sky Version Once Human Version
Design Base Teleport Module Premium Cosmetic Item
Accessibility Gameplay obtainable High-tier lootbox reward
Notable Feature Overly detailed rivets Added workout bike
Developer Reaction Humorous technical critique No official response

The Community Weighs In

As news spread, the gaming community had plenty to say. Comments ranged from "Literally the same asset lmao" to more serious concerns about copyright infringement. Some players even suggested this was "totally worthy of a lawsuit," though Murray's lighthearted response suggested Hello Games wasn't planning to go nuclear.

What made the situation particularly interesting was the context. This wasn't just about similar designs—it was about a premium item locked behind a paywall in a free-to-play game. Players who had felt "cheated" by Once Human's cosmetic pricing (with some items reportedly costing up to $500 worth of in-game currency) now had another reason to side-eye the developer.

Not Their First Rodeo

This wasn't Starry Studio's first brush with asset controversy. The developer had previously been accused of using icons from Ubisoft's Rainbow Six Siege, which were quietly removed after the community noticed. Pattern recognition started kicking in among gamers, leaving many wondering about the studio's creative processes.

Meanwhile, No Man's Sky continues its remarkable redemption arc. From its controversial 2016 launch to becoming a fan favorite through years of dedicated updates, the game has shown what post-launch support done right looks like. Murray's response to the Once Human situation reflects the confident, mature position Hello Games now occupies in the industry.

The Bigger Picture

What does this whole situation say about the gaming industry in 2025? A few things become clear:

  • Community vigilance is stronger than ever - Players notice everything

  • Developer responses matter - Murray's humor defused a potentially ugly situation

  • Asset creation ethics remain important - Even in an industry full of similar themes

  • Free-to-play models continue to face scrutiny - Especially around premium pricing

At the end of the day, the gaming world watched as what could have been another bitter developer feud turned into a moment of levity. Murray's response wasn't just funny—it was smart. By pointing out a technical flaw in his own asset, he essentially said, "If you're going to borrow our work, at least borrow the good parts!"

As for Starry Studio? They've remained quiet, leaving players to wonder what their next move will be. One thing's for sure—in the age of social media and hyper-aware gaming communities, nothing goes unnoticed for long. The teleport module may help characters move between locations, but it seems some design choices can't escape the watchful eyes of gamers.