A quest to the post-Apocalyptic role-playing game “Fallout 4” entitled “Brain Dead” came with the “Far Harbor” DLC released by game developer Bethesda Studios in May. Instead of being appreciated, it actually drew flak from the game’s huge modding community.
Apparently, one modder Guillaume Veer felt that the mod that came with the DLC drew inspiration or was copied from his mod called “Autumn Leaves” which he developed for “Fallout: New Vegas.”
His mod was released in October last year or about a month before Bethesda Studios officially launched “Fallout 4” to the PlayStation 4 and the Xbox One in November last year.
Bethesda Studios immediately came out to dispel notions saying that it would not disrespect the modding community by stealing from it, reports Gamespot.
However, Veer cited the similarities between his mod and the “Fallout 4” DLC quest. He also compared the story beats, characters, and even the environment.
He explained that both quests and mods start with a discussion through an intercom before entering a vault. But when gamers go beyond the vault’s entrance, the similarities become more apparent.
The similarity put to light
The premise of the “Autumn Leaves” mod involves a group of wealthy men who came together to build a library where history and culture could be preserved.
The library was transformed into a vault where one man accidentally got trapped inside earlier than anticipated. Without any other inhabitants to keep him company, the man decided to build a cadre of robots who could safeguard the library, details Kotaku.
Some of these robots were programmed to have unique personalities, and the players can spend quality time speaking to all of them about the philosophical ramifications of having a non-human consciousness. It actually looks similar to the Will Smith movie entitled, “I, Robot.”
Meanwhile, the “Brain Dead” mod that came with the “Far Harbor” DLC released for “Fallout 4” in May, tasks the player with solving a mystery within a hotel. According to Veer, who also goes by the name of BaronVonChateau, the similarities between “Brain Dead” and “Autumn Leaves” are just too hard to ignore.
For one, both feature a colorful cast of eccentric robots, in charge of a forgotten vault, where a strange murder happened.
To support his allegations of copying, BaronVonChateau supplied a number of comparative screenshots that really make the similarities seem very uncanny.
A complete coincidence
Pete Hines, VP of marketing of Bethesda Studios publicly came out to quash notions of copying by saying that he checked both mods and that any similarities between “Braid Dead” and “Autumn Leaves” are a complete coincidence.
He explained that Bethesda has shown its love for mods and the “Fallout 4” modding community by officially supporting them. He also added that as a matter of fact, mods have already made their way to the consoles, which is not at all common in the gaming community.
Veer said he does not seem too upset by the similarities of “Brain Dead” and “Autumn Leaves.” He claimed that he understands that even he has taken inspiration from other games including “Fallout.”
He was quoted as saying that he seriously thinks that it is perfectly okay because when he created “Autumn Leaves,” he also drew inspiration from countless sources and being influenced is a natural part of the writing and creative process.
However, what he is after is the acknowledgment from Bethesda Studios. He explained that being acknowledged in the game’s credits, for instance, would be a very nice and cost-less move towards him and the rest of the modders.
Veer cited that many of them are making mods and often take years of their free time in order to get a job in the industry. The kind of recognition would really give them a tremendous boost.
It sounds logical alright but Bethesda seems adamant of the whole notion that it copied Veer’s creation, which is what is causing the tension between the game developer and the modding community.