Sony’s PlayStation Sues Tencent Over Its ‘Slavish Clone’ of ‘Horizon’ Video Game Franchise is the explosive headline dominating the gaming industry today. In a bold legal move filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE) alleges that Tencent’s upcoming open‑world game, Light of Motiram, is a near‑perfect copy of its blockbuster Horizon series.
What Is Sony’s Case?
Sony charges that Light of Motiram replicates substantial aesthetic, narrative, and gameplay elements from Horizon: Zero Dawn and Horizon Forbidden West. According to Sony, these similarities go beyond inspiration—they amount to infringing copies of protected creative assets. The company cites oversized robotic beasts, tribal settings with lush landscapes overtaken by machinery, a female protagonist wielding a bow, and even similar title font as evidence of unlawful replication GameSpot+10Reuters+10SSBCrack News+10.
The complaint describes the game as a “slavish clone” and argues that it can mislead or confuse consumers into believing it is related to the official Horizon franchise YouTube+10Reuters+10PC Gamer+10. Sony is seeking both injunctive relief to block the game’s release and statutory damages of up to $150,000 per infringement SSBCrack News+6Polygon+6Aftermath+6.
Historical Background & Timeline
| Timeline | Event |
|---|---|
| 2017 | Guerrilla Games releases Horizon: Zero Dawn exclusively on PlayStation 4. |
| 2022–23 | Horizon Forbidden West launches on PS5/PS4 as a sequel. |
| 2023 | Tencent’s studio Polaris Quest (also referenced as Aurora Studios) begins development of Light of Motiram. |
| March 2024 | Tencent pitches a licensed Horizon sequel to Sony at the Game Developers Conference; Sony declines. |
| Late 2024 | Tencent unveils Light of Motiram trailer—immediately drawing comparisons to Horizon. |
| July 25, 2025 | Sony files the lawsuit seeking to halt the release and claim damages in US federal court Aftermath+10Reuters+10Polygon+10PC Gamer+11The Verge+11The Verge+11RedditPush Square+2Polygon+2Kotaku+2. |
Sony’s Key Allegations
1. Copyright & Trademark Infringement
Sony asserts that Tencent copied distinct audiovisual designs, story themes, character imagery, HUD interfaces, and even musical cues. Legal analysis criticizes Tencent’s branding—including the Steam page description and title design—for closely mimicking Horizon’s look and feel Reddit+7The Verge+7PC Gamer+7.
2. Unlawful Development Post-License Rejection
Despite rejecting Tencent’s 2024 pitch to develop a Horizon game, Sony contends that Tencent continued making Motiram, effectively using Horizon IP without permission. Sony’s legal team alleges Tencent tried again informally to license Horizon after the rejection but was rebuffed, yet kept moving forward Push Square+4The Verge+4Aftermath+4.
3. Public Commentary as Evidence
The lawsuit includes quotes from gaming journalists and community responses labeling Light of Motiram “crazy,” “shameless,” and “Horizon Zero Originality”—comments Sony cites as proof of public perception and possible consumer confusion YouTube+11Polygon+11Kotaku+11.
Legal and Industry Impacts
- Potential Precedent in Video Game IP Law: Sony’s decision to file suit on copyright, rather than patent, reflects confidence in the strength of IP claims for visual and narrative assets. Legal academics will watch this case closely as it could influence how derivative works are judged in the interactive entertainment industry.
- Pressure on Tencent: With plans to launch Light of Motiram across multiple platforms—including Steam and possibly even PS5—Sony’s injunction request could delay or derail global release plans.
- Industry Reflection: Similar cases, such as Nintendo’s litigation over Palworld, underline how major IP holders are increasingly combative in protecting their franchises in a digital era filled with copycat projects PC Gamer+5Polygon+5GameSpot+5The Verge+1Reddit+1.
Visual & Thematic Comparisons
Sony’s lawsuit includes side-by-side visuals: mechanical creatures roaming verdant ruins reminiscent of Horizon’s signature machine wildlife; a protagonist visually analogous to Aloy; and even a red-hued environment with sweeping grasses and tribal armor. The “focus” device enabling scanning in Light of Motiram is similarly called Angelos—paralleling Horizon’s Focus gadget. Sony claims these parallels are far too precise to be coincidence Aftermath+1Aftermath+1.
What Happens Next?
The court will soon review Sony’s motion for preliminary injunction. If granted, Light of Motiram could be blocked from release, or Tencent may be forced to alter major aspects. If denied, the case may proceed to full trial or settlement negotiations.
Beyond the resolution of this case, the outcome could reshape how game studios approach design inspiration—or how aggressively they must guard against infringement accusations.
Conclusion
Sony’s PlayStation Sues Tencent Over Its ‘Slavish Clone’ of ‘Horizon’ Video Game Franchise marks a pivotal moment in intellectual property enforcement in gaming. The lawsuit underscores Sony’s intention to defend its flagship franchise aggressively. As the legal battle begins, the industry—and gamers—watch closely to see whether Tencent’s Light of Motiram will survive unaltered or face legal shutdown.
