Sony has filed a significant lawsuit against Chinese gaming powerhouse Tencent, alleging that Tencent created a nearly identical version of its beloved Horizon game series. The game at the forefront of this dispute, Light of Motiram, has attracted considerable attention since its announcement due to the many similarities to the Horizon franchise.
Light of Motiram first came to light in November 2024, immediately inviting unfavorable comparisons to the Horizon series, primarily due to its aesthetic and narrative elements. Developed by a Tencent subsidiary, Polaris Quest, this upcoming title received backlash from both gamers and the media, who noted its apparent likeness to Guerrilla Games’ Horizon Zero Dawn and Horizon Forbidden West. Although games often draw inspiration from one another, the similarities between Light of Motiram and Horizon seem too striking to overlook.
Sony’s legal action against Tencent was officially lodged on July 25 in a California federal court. First reported by Reuters, this lawsuit accuses Tencent of copyright and trademark violations, asserting that Light of Motiram is a “slavish clone” of the Horizon series, with almost identical gameplay mechanics, character designs, and thematic elements. Notably, the complaint emphasizes a red-haired, bow-wielding heroine closely resembling Aloy, the protagonist of the Horizon games.
In its complaint, Sony draws attention to the similarities in the Light of Motiram game’s post-apocalyptic world, where technology and nature converge, along with mechanized beings referred to as “Mechanimals,” and a gameplay feature that allows players to tame these creatures—a concept highly comparable to the Horizon series’ override mechanic. Sony is pushing for statutory damages amounting to $150,000 for each infringed work and is seeking a court order to prevent the release of Light of Motiram, compelling Tencent to relinquish all associated marketing materials for destruction.
Concerns have been raised regarding the market confusion caused by Tencent’s actions, with some players mistakenly believing that Light of Motiram is an official sequel or spin-off from the Horizon saga. Public sentiment has largely been unfavorable, with many derisively referring to it as “Horizon Zero Originality” and criticizing Tencent for not making the influences more subtle. This case arises during a time when numerous lawsuits are challenging the boundaries of creative inspiration, and as it stands, Light of Motiram remains available on Steam without a scheduled release date, pending the outcome of this legal battle.
