Ghostly Whiskers will release on the PS Store, and it looks like yet another forgettable foray powered by AI art.
But this particular effort from Cyprus-based studio Nostra Games has found itself at the centre of a storm, as the makers of indie effort Haunted Paws claim it’s a copycat.
Both games offer co-op experiences in which you control an animal in Luigi’s Mansion-esque light-hearted horror environments, except in Ghostly Whispers you’ll be playing a cat and in Haunted Paws a puppy.
Here’s how Ghostly Whiskers describes itself:
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“Ghostly Whiskers is a short but unforgettable co-op (or solo) adventure that blends light horror with heartwarming moments. Solve puzzles, explore eerie rooms, and use your feline instincts – like squeezing through tight spaces, climbing ledges, and sniffing out hidden clues – to uncover the truth.”
And here’s how Haunted Paws introduces itself:
“Invite a friend to join for free and work together to discover mysteries, explore spooky environments and run from evil creatures! The gameplay is a blend of cute and spooky interactions, filled with engaging mysteries. Team up with your co-op partner and embark on an adventure that is both eerie and heartwarming, filled with emotional moments. Dive into this spooky yet cozy journey together!”
Yeah, they sound pretty similar.
We couldn’t find any gameplay footage of Ghostly Whiskers, and seeing as Haunted Paws isn’t out yet, it’s hard to say just how much one is stealing from the other.
However, Lazy Flock Studio – who’s making Haunted Paws – is making no bones about it: “This is not a Haunted Paws game,” it wrote on X (or Twitter). “This is a direct copy. This is an unauthorised copy that steals our concept, visuals, and story, using AI-generated assets, releasing on the PS Store.”
Anyone who’s looked at the PS Store or, honestly, any virtual storefront of late will know that they’re filled to bursting with this kind of stuff.
Right now, though, Ghostly Whiskers is set to release on 15th January, and we’d be shocked if allegations like this one stopped it.