Sony is sueing Tencent over Horizon knock-off
This case could define how much inspiration developers can take from existing games before it's considered plagiarism.
I saw clips of Light of Motiram earlier this year and genuinely thought it was a new Horizon game. Same archer heroine, similar mech-like beasts, that familiar mix of tribal and tech.
But once I realised it wasn’t from Guerrilla Games or Sony, just a lookalike with suspiciously familiar vibes, I had a feeling it wouldn’t be long before lawyers got involved. And sure enough, Sony is now suing Tencent.
Filed in California on July 25, the lawsuit claims Tencent’s upcoming game Light of Motiram is a clear and deliberate imitation of the Horizon franchise. Sony describes it as a “slavish clone” of Horizon Zero Dawn and Horizon Forbidden West, citing not just broad thematic overlap, but specific visual and stylistic elements.
From mechanical wildlife to the protagonist’s design and even the game’s promotional fonts, Sony says the similarities go far beyond coincidence. Ironically, court documents reveal that Tencent initially pitched Sony in early 2024 to collaborate on a Horizon spin-off set in Asia, complete with new tribes, eastern landscapes, and multiplayer mechanics.
Sony declined that proposal, only to watch Tencent proceed with Light of Motiram in secret. According to the lawsuit, Tencent's developer Aurora Studios, operating under Polaris Quest in China, did not disclose its prior development plans while making that pitch.
Sony’s complaint also documents fan and industry backlash over the similarities. A viral comment even dubbed the game “Horizon Zero Originality.” In legal terms, Sony is pursuing damages of up to $150,000 per infringing work and is seeking an injunction to block the game’s release or related marketing materials.
What makes this messier is that Sony already tried to resolve the issue behind closed doors. According to court filings, Sony says it had discussions with Tencent to try to informally resolve concerns that Light of Motiram was infringing on Horizon's intellectual property.
But those talks didn’t go far. Sony claims Tencent responded by attempting to license the Horizon IP after the fact. Sony, however, says it “clearly and unequivocally” refused, objected to Light of Motiram, and insisted the game be pulled.
This isn't the first time the industry has seen high-profile IP clashes. Last year, Nintendo targeted Palworld developers over Pokémon-like mechanics, which resulted in Palworld totally removing the mechanics from its game.
However, this case feels bigger because it involves two of gaming’s biggest players. If Sony succeeds, Light of Motiram could be delayed, modified, or even blocked entirely.
The game is currently available for wishlisting on platforms like Steam, but its fate now hinges on courtroom decisions. The outcome could set a precedent for how closely developers can follow the aesthetic and mechanics of existing franchises before they’re called out for crossing the line.
Oluwaseun Bamisile
