Individually, these characteristics might seem standard for a Western-style character. However, the Hunter design has been public for nearly two years, while Fuse was only confirmed to be joining Apex Legends on Jan. 18. NOWWA also claims BulletVille had playtests with the EA team in October and November of 2020.

“We are happy that the Apex Legends team like Hunter’s style to the point of wanting to recreate it in Apex Legends — we were even hoping for an eventual crossover,” a NOWWA spokesperson said in a statement obtained by VENN. “Nonetheless, we are afraid that, as a small indie game producer whose game hasn’t been launched yet, we’ll be called a ripoff of Apex Legends, which is certainly not true.”

It is not clear if NOWWA will pursue legal action against EA.

EA did not respond to multiple requests for comment. NOWWA did not reply to requests for additional comment.

This is the second allegation in recent months against a major game company for using someone else’s property without their knowledge or permission. In October, a writer going by the name of Stephanie claimed in a post on Medium that League of Legends’ latest champion Seraphine was based on her. Reportedly, Stephanie briefly dated an unnamed Riot Games employee who then used her image and personality to create the character of Seraphine. Stephanie went on to list specific examples of likeness, artwork and backstory that lined up with herself and what she shared with the unnamed Riot employee.

Riot denied the allegation.

Photo courtesy of NOWWA and EA Games