The Real Reason This Dev Feels Ripped Off By Doctor Strange

Marvel fans just got the latest entry in the MCU via "Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness" and, while both critically praised by some and unimpressive to others, the film has now gone onto the dissection table of fans — where every last nuanced reference or inconsistency will be discovered. Among some sneaky "Spider-Man" references, viewers have picked up on something that could prove a bad look for the film and for Marvel at large.

It turns out there's a scene in the new "Doctor Strange" film that looks to be more or less taken right from a video game title that's still in active development — and by a solo indie dev to add more insult to injury. As Kotaku reported, commenters on social media have been quick to draw a comparison between the musical fight featured towards the end of the film and the action sequences teased by "Sword of Symphony" dev Stephen Ddungu.

While it's one thing to take inspiration from a source or create an homage, onlookers are likening this more to pulling the rug out from under Ddungu's feet before "Sword of Symphony" got its chance to shine. Here's how "Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness" allegedly ripped off an indie dev's idea.

Kotaku previously reported on "Sword of Symphony" and its dev Stephen Ddungu almost a year ago, right around the time the creator's work was going viral on TikTok and other social media platforms, identifying the game as "the hottest JRPG of the moment" and marveling over the lovely blend of music and gameplay. Well, allegedly this was during the same period of time "Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness" was undergoing a series of reshoots after the film's release date had been delayed, and there's a chance all the hype and goodwill surrounding Ddungu's project directly led to a musical face-off in the movie.

In "Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness," a scene right before the film's climax sees the Master of the Mystic arts engage in combat using visible, tangible music notes created by sounds in his surroundings. Doctor Strange hurls half and quarter note symbols while also defending against lower, booming bass attacks. The whole bit seems pretty close to what fans have seen from "Sword of Symphony," especially the way each action and attack sync up with the overall score. Ddungu told Kotaku that he wasn't upset that Marvel used a similar idea, but that they didn't present that idea in their own unique way.

While fans have come to the defense of Ddungu and the work-in-progress game, it remains to be seen if Marvel or those involved with the movie's production will comment on the blossoming controversy.