World of Tanks dev files infringement suit aimed at 'Project Tank'

World of Tanks developer Wargaming has filed an infringement suit against two Chinese companies, in regards to Gamease's "Project Tank." The suit alleges that Project Tank is "an unoriginal and disturbingly similar game directly based on World of Tanks."

Polygon reports that the complaint charges that Project Tank "copied the plot, theme, dialogue, mood, setting, pace, and character of World of Tanks, in addition to copying specific features, items, tanks, and artwork." So essentially, everything.

The complaint is filed against Changyou.com, and Beijing Gamease Age Digital Technology Co., Ltd. Wargaming cited a number of specific similarities, from similar UI layouts to tech trees. It also claims that tank models and textures were copied directly, and even imitated historical inaccuracies and fictional constructs from World of Tanks. Finally, it alleges that a patent for "Dynamic battle session matchmaking in a multiplayer game" has been used. Wargaming is seeking damages and an injunction against continued infringement.

Changyou, in response, claims it feels "truly shocked and bullied" by Wargaming, and says it only aims "to provide a cheaper, fairer, and more accessible war game to players around the world." It also states that Wargaming has "launched a series of underhand [sic] actions against Project Tank, including using their connections to shut down our Facebook page, over PT's purported infringement' of their intellectual property rights."