Bank of Innovation, the developer behind the mobile RPG game Memento Mori, is facing a lawsuit from Sega Corporation. The lawsuit seeks damages for multiple alleged patent infringements as reported by Gamesindustry.biz.
Sega, renowned for its Sonic the Hedgehog franchise, is demanding ¥1 billion in damages (approximately USD$6.63 million) and an injunction against Memento Mori and related content developed by Bank of Innovation.
Despite ongoing discussions between the two companies, they failed to reach an agreement. Bank of Innovation denies any infringement and plans to defend itself in court while continuing to operate Memento Mori. However, news of the lawsuit has caused Bank of Innovation’s stock to drop by nearly 18% since the announcement.
The lawsuit involves five patents registered in Japan: 5930111, 6402953, 6891987, 7297361, and 7411307. These patents are related to gacha game mechanics commonly found in the RPG genre, with one patent specifically related to character card fusion, according to Automaton Media.
If you’re unfamiliar with Memento Mori, the game was initially released on iOS and Android in 2022. It has received praise for its stunning art and music, focusing on Witches with unique powers. Players take on the role of a Lord aiding these Witches, who are fleeing from a Witch Hunt led by the Inquisitors.
Each Witch in the game has their own themed song, often referred to as Live 2D concerts, performed by popular Japanese singers. The game’s appeal primarily lies in its musical elements, with gameplay involving simple screen tapping typical of AFK RPGs.
Sega’s lawsuit has attracted significant attention, particularly due to its emphasis on gacha mechanics in the gaming industry. This legal action follows a recent lawsuit filed by The Pokémon Company against Palworld developer Pocketpair.