TikTok Star Calls Out Respawn Over Seer Likeness
The latest addition to Apex Legends isn't even here yet, but that hasn't stopped players delving deep and unveiling everything they can about a mythical new Legend called Seer. However, not everyone is impressed by the suave soothsayer.
Seer was teased in a Love Death and Robots/Black Panther hybrid that sent the Twitterverse into overdrive. Although his official release is due on July 22 at the next EA Player, the internet has exploded with datamines and revealed everything from Seer's in-game skin to his special abilities.
Why is one TikTok star unimpressed with Respawn about Seer?
TikTok star William Knight has called out Respawn over Seer and claimed the developer has stolen his likeness for the Season 10 Legend. Posting on Twitter, Knight simply wrote "explain this" and posted a shot of himself wearing a wide-brimmed hat alongside Seer.
Whether Knight meant it as a joke or not, the idea picked up traction and quickly went viral. One supporter wrote, "There might not be coincidences but there sure is COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT", while another added, "There is no such thing as a coincidence. The fact that this character came out when it did, means that William Knight is owed money-- and a lot of it".
However, not everyone was fully sold on the idea. Someone pointed out, "Gentle reminder that this character was developed about a year ago, William Knight is just so powerful he manifested himself as the new legend".
Finally, someone else concluded, "I like how everybody is like 'Oh they finna get sued they finna get sued' Where? How? My man's wears a cowboy outfit and said 'There's no such thing as coincidences' and the new legend wears a cowboy outfit and is a future teller. Like come on y'all".
Is there a case against Respawn Entertainment?
The thread soon descended into chaos, and it's hard to work out which comments are genuine and which are a joke. Either way, Knight would need more evidence than just being able to win a lookalike competition to actually sue Respawn.
Copyright challenges are nothing new in video games - especially when it comes to characters. We remember when one woman slammed Riot Games amidst claims the character of Seraphine was based on her. Riot didn't take kindly to these claims and invited "Stephanie" to take it further.
Elsewhere, Capcom found itself in potentially hot water when it was accused ripping off the propellor-headed Sturm from 2013's Frankenstein's Army for Resident Evil Village. The horror developer was also in the spotlight for a potential Resident Evil 4/Devil May Cry copyright, while a game based on The Walking Dead was then accused of copying Capcom.
Unless Seer jumps into Apex with a line of "There is no such thing as a coincidence", we'd air on the side of Respawn with this one. Then again, imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, and we've got to admit, William Knight can definitely turn a look.