Sony Sues Tencent Over Light of Motiram: Horizon’s Creators Draw a Line in the Sand
PlayStation’s robo‑dinosaur epic meets China’s gaming titan in a courtroom clash that could redefine “inspiration” in AAA development.
Here’s the TL;DR…
Sony Interactive Entertainment filed suit in a California federal court on July 28 2025, accusing Tencent’s upcoming Light of Motiram of copying “distinctive elements” from Horizon Zero Dawn and Horizon Forbidden West.
The complaint brands Tencent’s project a “slavish clone” that could mislead players and erode the Horizon trademark.
Industry commentators have already dubbed the dispute “Horizon Zero Originality,” framing it as a test case for protecting big‑budget IP in an era of fast‑moving tech and look‑alike sandboxes.
A Quick Recap of the Case
Sony’s suit involves two claims: copyright infringement (for story, art, and gameplay overlap) and trademark dilution (for potentially confusing Horizon branding). Sony also seeks an injunction that would halt or heavily rework Tencent’s title before launch.
IGN had flagged similarities as early as November 28 2024, noting that Light of Motiram features:
A post‑apocalyptic landscape reclaimed by nature
“Mechanimal” creatures patrolling the wilds
A red‑headed protagonist using primitive gear against high‑tech foes
In court filings, Sony says those parallels go “far beyond genre tropes” into near one‑for‑one lifts of Horizon’s signature identity.
Industry & Press – Two Camps, One Big Question
Support for Sony: Some analysts call the lawsuit overdue, arguing AAA innovation dries up if copy‑catting goes unchecked.
Skepticism: Others note that open‑world survival games share inevitable DNA; they warn that over‑aggressive litigation could chill creativity across the board.
Games media reaction echoes that split—praising Sony for guarding artistic labor while questioning where homage ends and infringement begins.
Stakes for Tencent and Sony
Sony risks Horizon’s hard‑won brand clarity if players confuse future DLCs or spin‑offs with a mechanically similar rival.
Tencent, with investments in Riot and Epic, faces reputational fallout if the court agrees it over‑borrowed from Horizon’s design bible.
Neither side commented to Reuters, but legal watchers expect settlement talks—or a precedent‑setting trial—within the year.
Why It Matters
This isn’t just two corporate heavyweights trading punches:
Light of Motiram vs. Horizon could set the tone for how closely new IPs may echo the giants that came before—especially as AI‑assisted development accelerates look‑alike worldbuilding. A Sony win might embolden publishers to guard their sandboxes more fiercely; a Tencent win could loosen the reins on genre “borrowing” industry‑wide.
Sources
Reuters, “Sony sues Tencent for allegedly ripping off Horizon video games,” July 28 2025
IGN, “New Tencent Game Accused of ‘Ripping Off’ Sony’s Horizon Series,” November 28 2024
Wikipedia, “Horizon (video game series),” updated June 19 2025
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