Zynga Swipes Game Ideas

Buffalo Studios has recently accused the software developer Zynga with copying one of its games known as Bingo Blitz with their own version called Zynga Bingo.

Here’s what they’ve apparently communicated to Zynga:

"Hello, Zynga,”

"We are moved that your new game was so inspired by our innovative product, Bingo Blitz. Bingo Blitz has been growing throughout the past year and has obviously earned the attention of titanic forces in the industry. You've obviously played our game, Bingo Blitz, a lot, along with over one million other Daily Active Users."

The communication also includes images pointing out various similarities between Zynga Bingo and Bingo Blitz. Most obvious are the similarities in the design of the bingo boards, the use of update power-ups among other things.

Bingo Blitz has been a successful addition to the games available on Facebook. Buffalo Studios points out that their version, Bingo Blitz, has over 1 million daily active users, and has been "liked" nearly 2.5 million times.

Buffalo Studios spoke up and was led by example as NimbleBit posted an online letter online last week accusing Zynga of copying their game Tiny Tower for iPhone.

Is this considered borrowing aspects from other games and improving upon them and should it be acceptable in the world on online gaming?