Well you didn't start a battle or anything, so if you're overreacting then it is only internal and not really affecting anyone else. But yes, this is a common occurrence, and it is unlikely to be an issue. In fact, in the world of videogames, players often say "If you liked X, try Y which is similar." Games are rather the opposite of research... creative, entertaining, and sold to the general public.
Another thing to consider is that development times can be very long, and projects often get cancelled or switch directions. So it's kinda hard to step on each other's toes unless you are releasing something at exactly the same time, for the same price, in the same markets, etc.
You should keep going and just not worry about it. Also, your idea might not be as niche as you think... just because you didn't encounter it before doesn't mean it isn't out there.
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Thanks for your reply.
No, I definitely didn’t start a battle. I was just trying to better understand the ethical and cultural norms around IP in a field that’s still very new to me, like visiting a foreign country and wanting to respect local customs 🙂
My concern wasn’t really about being original or unique, but more about acting with integrity and showing respect for others’ creative work.
Also, sorry if I didn’t express myself clearly. I’m not a native English speaker. When I said I might have “overreacted,” I just meant I was probably "being overly cautious", out of habit, coming from other standards concerning IP.
I’ve come to realize that reaching out and stepping aside might have been a bit too careful, and I’ll maybe continue the project and see where it leads.
As for research, maybe that’s another debate, but I do believe it’s deeply driven by creativity even if it takes a different form from entertainment-focused design. I think games and research can enrich each other. Rather than being opposed, they’re simply different expressions of creative thinking. Both can be aimed at specific or general audiences, and sometimes, for some, even research can be entertaining... 😉