Jeryce Dianingana, former lead atmosphere artist on EA’s canceled Marvel Black Panther recreation from Cliffhanger Studios, is accusing Marvel Rivals developer NetEase of copying his work in designing the sport’s Wakanda-themed map.
Dianingana first made these claims on X and Bluesky, publicizing the similarities between components of Marvel Rivals “Interstellar Empire of Wakanda” map and his personal work. Dianingana informed Recreation Developer in a follow-up remark that he acknowledged what he known as a “KeyHole extrusion” seen within the in-game map and publicized idea artwork.
“I noticed that KeyHole extrusion within the wall with that statue assist, each issues that I designed with very particular symmetrical patterns I immediately acknowledged my work,” he mentioned, when requested how he recognized it. He additionally mentioned in late 2024, somebody claiming to be an idea artist reached out to reward his work and say it impressed the Marvel Rivals staff.
Within the Marvel Rivals idea artwork and map, there are a selection of alcoves with statues and busts paying tribute to the well-known Marvel character in a locale known as the “Imperial Institute of Science.” In Dianingana’s 2021 piece “Ondze Museum” busts bearing African masks are seen in a museum-like atmosphere. The map’s idea artwork additionally seems to depict a museum-like area. The alcoves bear a putting resemblance to Dianingana’s artwork.
Picture by way of Jeryce Dianingana/NetEase.
In NetEase’s idea artwork, the statue is also marked by two golden triangles that carefully resemble these on Dianingana’s statues. He additionally noticed a statue that was exceptionally near his 2017 piece “Wakongo River.” The statue seems within the Marvel Rivals map in the identical room as a bust of Black Panther ensconced in a keyhole-like alcove.
These design selections could possibly be coincidental—however Dianingana defined a message from somebody saying they have been an “artwork developer” on Marvel Rivals solely fueled his suspicions
An artist named “milu” claimed NetEase “absorbed the inspiration” of Dianingana’s work
In December 2024—just some weeks after Marvel unveiled the cosmic Wakanda-themed map—somebody named “Milu” despatched Dianingana a message claiming to be “the artwork developer” of Marvel Rivals. “I like your design very a lot,” this particular person wrote. “We additionally absorbed the inspiration of your work within the design of the Wakanda map.”
This particular person mentioned the staff want to invite Dianingana to “take part” within the artwork design, or to “work with us remotely to supply the artwork work[sic] of Marvel Rivals.”
Photographs by Milu by way of X.
On October 22, 2025, Recreation Developer reviewed Milu’s X account and what seemed to be an affiliated Artstation profile. The account initially contained idea artwork for Marvel Rivals and a hyperlink again to Artstation. The hyperlink was not purposeful on the time, however we did determine an Artstation web page for one “Mi Lu” with a number of the identical artwork items seen on the X account. On October 24, all of Milu’s Tweets had been deleted, and the artwork on the Artstation web page lowered to at least one picture: a 3D rendering of a Bitcoin.
Picture by way of Mi Lu on Artstation.
Dianingana made his preliminary publish on October 17, then adopted up with extra posts on October 23. We weren’t capable of decide when the Twitter web page and Artstation web page affiliated with Milu have been scrubbed.
In his posts on X and Bluesky, Dianingana defined he had tried to achieve out to NetEase to debate what seemed to be using his artwork, however had not obtained a response. “I attempted to allow many conversations however they have been all ignored, you wanted individuals who knew African Tradition that will help you with Wakanda,” he mentioned. “You used my information and simply began ignoring me after I began to ask for credit.”
Recreation Developer has reached out to NetEase for remark and can replace this story when the corporate responds.
