Sony Files Lawsuit Against Tencent for 'Horizon' Copying
Sony Interactive Entertainment has taken legal action against Chinese tech giant Tencent, accusing its subsidiary, Polaris Quest, of directly copying elements from the popular Horizon franchise. The lawsuit, filed in a California federal court, targets the upcoming survival game, Light of Motiram, which Sony attorneys have starkly labeled a “pathetic clone” of Guerrilla Games’ acclaimed series.
The controversy first erupted in November 2024 when Light of Motiram was unveiled, immediately drawing comparisons to Horizon Zero Dawn and Horizon Forbidden West due to striking similarities in its art style and world design. Sony’s legal complaint reportedly includes numerous examples of these alleged borrowings. Both games depict a tribal human society coexisting with animal-like machines, whose designs bear a strong resemblance in Light of Motiram to those found in the Horizon universe. The lawsuit emphasizes that the perceived copying by Tencent is so blatant that the public has already described it as “insane,” “abnormal,” and “shameless.”
Failed Licensing Attempts Preceded Lawsuit
Interestingly, the legal battle follows prior interactions between the two companies. According to court documents, Tencent approached Sony in March of last year with a proposal to develop a new Horizon game. Their pitch involved creating an “Eastern” version of the franchise, incorporating Asian design elements and landscapes, such as the Great Wall of China. Sony, however, declined this offer.
Despite Sony’s refusal, Tencent proceeded with the development of Light of Motiram. Sony’s legal team initially sought to resolve the dispute out of court, but Tencent reportedly made another request for a Horizon license, which Sony again rejected. With negotiations failing, the development of Light of Motiram continued, ultimately leading to Sony’s decision to pursue legal action.
Sony Seeks Injunction and Damages
Sony is seeking an unspecified amount in monetary damages and a court order to prevent Tencent from further infringing on its intellectual property rights. Crucially, a primary goal of the lawsuit is to block the release of Light of Motiram in its current form. The game is currently planned as a free-to-play title for PC (via Steam and Epic Games Store), PlayStation 5, and mobile devices, with a tentative release set for 2025 and announced support for Russian subtitles.
The Horizon series began in 2017 with the critically acclaimed Horizon Zero Dawn on PlayStation 4, later expanding with the sequel Horizon Forbidden West, and spin-offs like Horizon Call of the Mountain for VR and the lighthearted LEGO Horizon Adventures. This lawsuit highlights the growing importance of protecting intellectual property in the global gaming industry. For players, the outcome of this case could determine whether Light of Motiram ever sees the light of day, or if it will be forced to undergo significant changes to avoid infringing on one of PlayStation’s most recognizable franchises.
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