Sony Sues Tencent Over Alleged Horizon Clone in a Legal Battle Shaking the Gaming World

What happens when two of the world’s most powerful video game giants collide? You get a courtroom drama that sounds almost like the plot of a game itself. That’s exactly where Sony and Tencent are headed, as Sony just filed a major lawsuit in California federal court over what it calls a blatant copycat move by Tencent.

A Tale of Two Worlds, Too Similar?

Sony’s beef lies with Tencent’s upcoming game Light of Motiram, a title still in development but already stirring up controversy. According to Sony, this game isn’t just “inspired by” the Horizon franchise, it’s a shameless doppelgänger.

Here’s what Sony’s claiming:

• Light of Motiram allegedly mirrors the gameplay, aesthetics, world-building, and even the protagonist’s design, down to the red hair, of the beloved Horizon series.
• Journalists and fans alike have reportedly described Tencent’s game as “Horizon Zero Originality”, a not-so-subtle dig at its lack of innovation.
• Sony says the overlap is so heavy that gamers might believe Light of Motiram is a sequel or spin-off in the Horizon universe.

And the kicker? Sony claims Tencent actually tried to license the Horizon IP last year, was denied, and then went ahead with the game anyway.

Legal Firepower on Standby

The lawsuit, officially titled Sony Interactive Entertainment LLC v. Tencent Holdings Ltd, was filed on July 25 in the Northern District of California. Sony isn’t just asking for a slap on the wrist.

They’re demanding:

• A jury trial
• Statutory damages up to $150,000 for each infringing work
• A court order to halt Tencent from releasing the game
• Destruction of all promotional material bearing Horizon-like trademarks or designs

Sony also claims Tencent is “deliberately confusing” players into thinking Light of Motiram is part of the Horizon series, which could erode brand trust and damage the franchise’s identity.

What’s Tencent Saying?

At this point, crickets.

Tencent has not made any public statements in response to the lawsuit. The developer of Light of Motiram, Polaris Quest (a Tencent subsidiary), also remains silent. The game is still listed on Steam as of now, with no official release date, though you can add it to your wishlist.

Why This Lawsuit Matters

This isn’t just about one game copying another. The stakes are much higher:

• Tencent is one of the world’s largest gaming companies, with deep pockets and growing Western influence.
• Sony’s Horizon franchise is a flagship property, with Horizon Zero Dawn and Horizon Forbidden West earning critical acclaim and millions of loyal fans.
• The outcome of this case could set legal precedent for how intellectual property is protected in the gaming world, especially as games become increasingly global and collaborative.

More Than Just a Legal Dispute, It’s a Fight Over Creativity

Sony’s legal team paints this as a battle to protect creativity and originality in a booming, highly competitive industry. But to Tencent, it might just be business as usual in a fast-paced environment where trends evolve quickly, and ideas often overlap.

Still, one thing’s clear: if even a fraction of the alleged similarities are proven in court, this could cost Tencent not just money, but long-term credibility with Western partners and players.

As the legal dust settles, one big question remains:
Will Light of Motiram ever see the light of day? Or will Sony’s lawsuit send it back to the drawing board?

Stay tuned, this story is just getting started.