Torchlight clone pulled from App Store, developer making changes

Apple has pulled a Torchlight clone from the App Store, after Runic Games complained that it was using in-game assets from their title. Studio founder Travis Baldree accused the game, Armed Heroes, of using monsters, dungeons, voices, and sound effects directly from Torchlight.

"We're having to contact Apple about it, so, just a heads up - this may not be available for long," Baldree said.

Develop reports that EGLS, the Chinese company behind Armed Heroes, defended the game by claiming that they've made all the models and maps by hand. "Our team got inspirations from other brilliant games and movies, but had never straightly stole assets from Torchlight," said developer Serena Zhang. "What Mr. Travis Baldree said rudely depreciated the efforts our team had devoted into the game."

In a statement reported by Joystiq, EGLS says the recent controversy has brought "harm to our company's reputation" and upset players. It claims it will "modify some parts" of the game that have caused disputes rather than pressing the point with Apple, but says that if necessary, it would submit its internal documents to Apple to prove its case.