Update: PUBG Mobile's latest skin being renamed to remove reference to Hypnospace Outlaw

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Developer Jay Tholen wasn't happy about being associated with "something so aesthetically and morally vile."

An infringing PUBG Mobile character
(Image credit: Krafton)

Update: The developers of PUBG Mobile reached out to Hypnospace Outlaw creator Jay Tholen to explain the situation via Twitter. Apparently the skin's original name in Mandarin translates to "Golden Diva" and was designed without Tholen's work in mind. However, "An individual on our localization team saw the visuals for the skin and was reminded of your game. Rather than adopt the literal translation, 'Golden Diva,' the team member decided to change the name to Hypnospace Diva, not considering the consequences or implications of doing so. Those responsible for approving the localization were not familiar with Hypnospace Outlaw, and so were unaware of the name's connection to your game."

The skin will be renamed, and Tholen seems pleased with the response.

Original story: Early this morning, the mobile version of PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds announced a neon-blasted new Hypnospace Diva skin. That immediately caught the attention of Hypnospace Outlaw creator Jay Tholen, who now accuses the PUBG Mobile developer of using his work to sell a "tacky costume".

Part detective story, part alt-history internet, Hypnospace Outlaw has a very distinct look pulling from the crunchy aesthetics of the '90s web. PUBG Mobile's skin may take a more generic cyberpunk approach—but with a strikingly similar colour palette on top of the name, Tholen is certain the handheld shooter is cribbing straight from his game.

A large part of the issue, for Tholen, isn't just that his game's name and artistic sensibilities were used. It's the idea that someone may mistake this for an official collaboration, linking Hypnospace to a title he feels is exploitative and manipulative.

"I wouldn't normally make a big deal out of this but I don't want our name associated with gambling," Tholen writes in a follow-up tweet. "It irks me that someone who already knows about Hypnospace could run across this and assume we made a deal that resulted in something so aesthetically and morally vile."

Tholen admits that, as a small indie developer taking on PUBG Mobile owner Tencent, there's very little he can realistically expect in trying to get the skin changed. Nevertheless, he's still exploring legal options—if for no other reason than because "boy is that thing ugly". 

I've reached out to PUBG Mobile developer Krafton for comment.

Natalie Clayton
Natalie Clayton
Features Producer

20 years ago, Nat played Jet Set Radio Future for the first time, and she's not stopped thinking about games since. Joining PC Gamer in 2020, she comes from three years of freelance reporting at Rock Paper Shotgun, Waypoint, VG247 and more. Embedded in the European indie scene and a part-time game developer herself, Nat is always looking for a new curiosity to scream about—whether it's the next best indie darling, or simply someone modding a Scotmid into Black Mesa. She also unofficially appears in Apex Legends under the pseudonym Horizon.