Sony Sues Tencent Over Alleged Copy of Horizon Franchise

Sony has filed a high-profile lawsuit against Chinese tech giant Tencent, alleging that its upcoming game Light of Motiram is an unauthorized copy of the acclaimed Horizon series. The lawsuit marks a dramatic escalation in tensions over the similarities between Tencent’s project and Sony’s flagship franchise, Horizon Zero Dawn and Horizon Forbidden West.

A Game Too Familiar

Revealed in November 2024, Light of Motiram was quickly met with scrutiny due to its striking resemblance to the Horizon series. Developed by Tencent subsidiary Polaris Quest, the game is an open-world adventure set in a world where advanced technology and nature intertwine. Its similarities—both visual and thematic—sparked immediate backlash from players and critics alike, who pointed out its near-identical gameplay mechanics, environmental design, and character aesthetics.

While inspiration in game development is common, many felt the parallels were too blatant to be dismissed as coincidence.

Sony Takes Legal Action

On July 25, Sony officially filed a lawsuit in a federal court in California, accusing Tencent of both copyright and trademark infringement. The legal complaint describes Light of Motiram as a “slavish clone” of the Horizon games. It cites numerous copied elements, including:

• A red-haired, bow-wielding female protagonist resembling Aloy, the main character of Horizon.
• A post-apocalyptic setting where nature and machines coexist.
• Creatures known as “Mechanimals,” echoing Horizon's iconic robotic wildlife.
• Gameplay mechanics that allow players to tame machines—mirroring Horizon’s override system.

The lawsuit also reveals that Tencent had previously sought to license the Horizon IP from Sony—an offer that Sony declined. According to Sony, Tencent proceeded to develop Light of Motiram anyway, using its rejected proposal as a blueprint.

Demands and Market Confusion

Sony is seeking statutory damages of up to $150,000 per infringed work. More importantly, the company is demanding a court order to block the release of Light of Motiram entirely. It also wants Tencent to surrender and destroy all related marketing and promotional materials.

Sony argues that Tencent’s actions are causing significant confusion in the gaming market. Some players mistakenly believe that Light of Motiram is an official sequel or spin-off of Horizon. Social media reactions have been overwhelmingly negative, with many critics sarcastically dubbing the game “Horizon Zero Originality.”

A Broader Industry Trend

This lawsuit arrives amid growing industry tension over creative originality. Sony’s legal move mirrors Nintendo’s recent lawsuit against Palworld developer Pocket Pair, raising broader questions about where homage ends and infringement begins.

At the time of writing, Light of Motiram remains listed on Steam with no official release date. However, the game’s future now hangs in the balance as the case unfolds in court.