Artist Sail Lin accuses developer Raven Software and the publisher of Call of Duty: Vanguard of stealing the dog head skin “Loyal Samoyed. “
For concept artist Sail Lin, a new dog skin in Call of Duty: Warzone Season 4 is a serious matter. This is because the artist’s own work had been copied by CoD developer Raven Software – without proportional payment or other appreciation. Accordingly, solid accusations of plagiarism follow.
Activision actually planned to release a bundle with the skin “Loyal Samoyed” during Season 4 in CoD: Vanguard and Warzone. However, this plan seems to be turning into a hang-up. Artist Sail Lin drew attention to the serious similarities between the dog-soldier design and the skin in CoD with a tweet on Friday. In it, it becomes clear that the original design existed over two years ago. The character is called “Samoye Medical” and can still be viewed in its original form via (ArtStation).
I have to explain this matter, COD Vanguard Samoye skin plagiarism.https://t.co/ltHTSNhEtf CallofDutyVanguard COD Vanguard @Activision pic. twitter.com/OD2M4WNUms
– saillin (@saillin5) July 29, 2022
“I am disappointed that my work is plagiarised in such a way by a big company like Activision,” Sai Lin wrote. The CoD publisher had been asked for an explanation and compensation. In the meantime, developer Raven Software has replaced the announced patch notes, in which an image of the character appeared as a skin, with a new variant. In the (Web-Archive) you can still find the old version including the skin.
A video by the Youtuber “CODSploitz” shows the 3D model of the new dog skin from the “Floof Fury Tracer Pack Bundle”. The similarities between Sail Lin’s original work and the CoD variant are easy to spot. The dog’s head as well as the mount on the backpack and other equipment are almost identical.
An official statement from Raven Software as well as Activision regarding the accusations is still pending. However, all advertisements for the new skin and bundle have been removed. There is currently speculation as to whether the skin will appear in the game at all due to the allegations.