Sony Takes Legal Action Against Tencent for Horizon Copying
Sony has initiated a lawsuit against Chinese tech giant Tencent, alleging that an upcoming game from its subsidiary, Polaris Quest, is a blatant copy of the popular Horizon series. The game in question, titled Light of Motiram, has drawn immediate comparisons to Guerrilla Games' acclaimed franchise since its initial showings, including an April gameplay trailer.
A "Pathetic Clone" in the Crosshairs
According to Reuters, Sony filed the lawsuit in a California federal court, citing copyright and trademark infringement. Legal representatives for Sony described Light of Motiram as a "pathetic clone" of the Horizon franchise, arguing that its striking similarities could mislead consumers. The complaint includes numerous examples of alleged copying. Both games reportedly feature a tribal society coexisting with animal-shaped machines in a post-apocalyptic world, with the designs of these robotic creatures bearing a close resemblance to those found in Horizon. The lawsuit states that public reaction has labeled Tencent's alleged copying as "insane," "abnormal," and "shameless."
Rejected Collaboration and Continued Development
An interesting detail emerged from the court documents: Tencent had reportedly approached Sony in March of last year, proposing a collaboration on a new Horizon game. This proposed title would have featured an "Eastern" twist, incorporating Asian design elements and landscapes, such as the Great Wall of China. Sony, however, declined the offer. Following this refusal, Light of Motiram was announced. Sony's lawyers initially sought to resolve the dispute outside of court, but Tencent again requested a license for the Horizon IP. Sony rejected this offer once more, leading to the continued development of Light of Motiram and, ultimately, the current lawsuit.
Sony's Demands and What It Means for Players
Sony is seeking an unspecified sum in monetary damages and a court order to prevent Tencent from further infringing on its intellectual property rights. The primary goal for Sony is to stop Light of Motiram from being released 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 target release year of 2025.
The Horizon series began with Horizon Zero Dawn in 2017, followed by its sequel, Horizon Forbidden West, the VR spin-off Horizon Call of the Mountain, and the upcoming LEGO Horizon Adventures. The series has sold over 38 million copies globally.
This lawsuit highlights the increasing scrutiny over intellectual property in the gaming industry. For players, this means the future of Light of Motiram is uncertain. It could face significant delays, substantial redesigns, or even cancellation if Sony's legal challenge is successful. This case will be closely watched, as it could set an important precedent for how unique game designs are protected against alleged imitation.
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