Original Plants vs. Zombies Artist Not Involved in New Reboot

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Rich Werner, the original artist and animator behind the beloved game Plants vs. Zombies, has shared his disappointment about not being included in the upcoming reboot, Plants vs. Zombies: Replanted. Werner, who created the game’s iconic look, including the logo and character designs, made his feelings known today on social media.

The new reboot is scheduled to be released on October 23, 2025. It will feature a new Art and Concept Library that includes pre-production sketches. Werner’s exclusion from the project raises questions about where this early art came from, as it’s unclear if it’s his work or if new art was created without him.

This decision by PopCap Games, the developer, seems to be an oversight, especially given Werner’s significant role in shaping the game’s unique style. In the video game industry, it is common practice to involve original creators in reboots to maintain the spirit and authenticity of the original work.

Werner’s worked on multiple versions of Plants vs. Zombies before leaving PopCap in 2012 to work on his own projects, such as the game Octogeddon. His experience and creative vision could have greatly benefited the new reboot, making his absence all the more noticeable.