In a notable escalation within the mobile gaming sector, Slither.io has lodged a formal accusation against Google’s artificial intelligence (AI) for allegedly spreading false information. The dispute centers around a claim that incorrectly associates Slither.io with the rival game Snake.io, which is available on Netflix. This allegation surfaced in a post on X, attracting considerable attention and prompting discussions about the reliability of AI-generated content.
The controversial post, published on a Sunday, has since garnered over 44,000 likes, more than 3,000 reposts, and hundreds of responses, illustrating the rapid spread of the issue across social media platforms. Slither.io’s official account shared a screenshot of its AI overview, which mistakenly stated that the game could be played on Netflix. The post challenged Google and its Gemini AI, stating: “No @Google @GeminiApp, as we told you last month, our game is not available on Netflix! We are also in a lawsuit against the company behind ‘Snake.io on Netflix’!”
This direct criticism highlights concerns about the accuracy of AI systems and their potential to create confusion among consumers. The post also suggests that Snake.io’s integration with Netflix Games is contributing to the ongoing mix-up, which undermines Slither.io’s unique identity in the gaming landscape. Users reacted with a mix of support and humor, sharing memes and quotes from the post, including phrases like “dollar store offbrand garbage AI.”
The conflict stems from a trademark infringement lawsuit filed by Lowtech Studios, the developers of Slither.io, against Kooapps, the creators of Snake.io. Initiated in 2023 in a United States federal court, the lawsuit claims that Snake.io’s logo and gameplay mechanics bear significant similarities to those of Slither.io, potentially misleading consumers. Launched in March 2016 by developer Steve Howse, Slither.io quickly gained popularity as a free-to-play browser and mobile game. Players control a snake that grows by consuming multicolored pellets while avoiding collisions with other players.
In contrast, Snake.io, developed by Kooapps and released later, features similar mechanics but has gained additional visibility through its inclusion in Netflix’s gaming service since around 2022. This partnership has expanded Snake.io’s reach, but Slither.io argues it has also led to further confusion, particularly in AI responses and media narratives.
Further complicating the situation, Slither.io recently requested that X restore Snake.io’s suspended account, emphasizing the need for access to relevant evidence in their ongoing lawsuit. Their post stated: “We are in a lawsuit against @snakeiogame but their account was suspended! Their posts contain relevant evidence we can no longer access!” This highlights the importance of social media content as potential evidence in legal proceedings.
As the lawsuit continues to progress through the courts, Slither.io’s proactive engagement on social media may compel Google to reassess how its AI handles gaming-related queries. Possible outcomes could include refinements to AI algorithms to better respect trademark distinctions or the establishment of broader industry guidelines regarding intellectual property.
The gaming community remains active in discussing the implications of this case, sharing their own experiences with AI-generated content and debating the ethics of game cloning. As this situation unfolds, it has the potential to set important precedents for how digital platforms manage intellectual property in an increasingly AI-driven environment.
