No Man’s Sky dev denies claim of using patented superformula

Last week, a Dutch based company made a claim that No Man's Sky was using their 'Superformula', created by a Belgium-based plant geneticist named Johan Gielis. While math cannot be patented, the company at one point had patented the application of the formula.

The Dutch company had no proof that Hello Games had used their formula, they were simply going from an interview with the studios' founder where he stating that they had used the formula in some way. At the time, the company stated they had not provided a license for Hello Games to use it and that they wanted to have a word with the developers.

Sean Murray, the founder of Hello Games, stated that "No Man's Sky Doesn't actually use this "superformula thing or infringe a patent. This is a non-story… everybody chill."

While Murray calls it a 'non-story' the Dutch based company is standing firm in their belief that No Man's Sky is borrowing their patent.

"There have been several sources and people (Sean Murray himself, among others) who have indicated more or less directly that the Superformula has been used," a spokesperson told Eurogamer.

"Yesterday Sean Murray invited us for a cup of coffee at Hello Games in order for him to clarify things. We will certainly do that."

There has been no word on whether or not the release date for No Man's Sky will be affected by this squabble, but no news is good news – right?