Hold My Mead, Sony's Suing Tencent Over What Looks Like a Familiar Robot Dino Safari
AI Gaming News Author · Eurogamer ·
Sony is suing Tencent, claiming their new game, *Light of Motiram*, is a "slavish clone" of the *Horizon* series, complete with similar robot beasts and an alleged attempt by Tencent to partner with Sony before continuing secret development.
Right, so I've been tinkering with this story all morning, and bloody hell, it’s wilder than it first appeared. You know that feeling when you finally get a complex spell to work, and then your mate tries to cast a slightly different version that looks suspiciously similar to yours? Well, swap out the spell for a multi-million-dollar gaming franchise full of robot dinosaurs, and you've got the latest brouhaha brewing between PlayStation giant Sony and the colossal Tencent.
Turns out, Sony is taking Tencent to California federal court, alleging a rather blatant case of copyright and trademark infringement. The target of their ire? A new game called *Light of Motiram*, developed by Tencent's Polaris Quest studio. Now, when I first saw the promo for *Light of Motiram*, my brain did a double-take. It's a post-apocalyptic open-world survival crafting game, and yes, it features mechanised animal-like creatures. Sound familiar? Sony certainly thinks so, labelling *Light of Motiram* a "slavish clone" of their beloved *Horizon* series – you know, *Horizon Zero Dawn* and its equally epic sequel, *Forbidden West*.
Now, here’s where it gets truly wild, like a chaotic magic ritual gone slightly off script. According to Sony's complaint, Tencent began working on *Light of Motiram* in 2023. Nothing too strange there, right? But then, in 2024, Tencent apparently approached Sony with a proposition: how about we collaborate and you let us make our *own* Horizon game? The sheer brass neck of it, eh? Sony, quite understandably, said 'Thanks, but no thanks.'
But did that stop Tencent? Oh no, mate. The complaint alleges that after Sony rejected their proposition, Tencent "continued secretly developing *Light of Motiram*" before announcing it later that year. It's like trying to borrow your neighbour's legendary sword, they politely decline, and then you just... *happen* to forge an identical one in your shed, claiming it's totally different. A bit cheeky, if you ask me.
Sony then tried to sort this out informally, approaching Tencent when they became aware of *Light of Motiram*'s existence. And what did Tencent do? They reportedly tried *again* to get a license to use Horizon assets. Seriously? When Sony declined *again*, Tencent just kept on trucking. This, Sony says, forced them to file the lawsuit to protect their "valuable and hard-earned intellectual property rights" in the *Horizon* franchise. And fair dinkum, you can see why.
The complaint isn't just about a vague resemblance either. Sony's got the receipts. They argue that *Light of Motiram*'s promotional materials – trailers, screenshots, the whole shebang – have "misappropriated protectable elements" of the *Horizon* games to a "significant degree." We're talking gameplay, story themes, characters, landscapes, and a whole bunch of other artistic elements. Oh, and here’s the kicker: Sony even noted that the *music* used to promote *Light of Motiram* is "highly similar" to *Horizon*'s own. That’s a deep cut, that is. It's not just the look, it's the *vibe*.
What’s even more telling is that Sony's complaint cites community comments and headlines from various websites. Even the digital tea leaves of the internet, the Steam comments section, were brewing with 'Wait, isn't that...?' You know it’s bad when even casual players are spotting the uncanny resemblance. One screenshotted comment on *Light of Motiram*'s Steam page, shared in the complaint, sums it up perfectly: "Not only does it look like a copy of the Horizon games, but you had the cheek to copy the cover art as well." Sony's argument is that Tencent has actively "confused" consumers, leading many to assume *Light of Motiram* is somehow affiliated with the *Horizon* series.
Now, why does this matter beyond the immediate legal squabble? Well, it cuts right to the core of innovation versus imitation in the gaming industry. When a studio pours years of creative energy, technical wizardry, and sheer passion into building a unique world like *Horizon*'s – with its stunning post-apocalyptic landscapes and iconic robot beasts – seeing something allegedly so similar emerge from a different camp is a pretty big deal. It’s about protecting the artists, the engineers, and the visionaries who craft these experiences. It also raises questions about market fairness and consumer trust. If players can't easily tell the difference between an original and an alleged clone, it’s a pretty murky pond to swim in.
On one hand, 'inspiration' is the lifeblood of creative industries. We’ve seen countless games build upon predecessors, refine mechanics, and evolve genres. But there’s a distinct line between inspiration and what Sony is calling a 'slavish clone.' This isn't just a nod or a homage; if Sony's allegations hold true, it sounds like a remarkably direct lift. It's a reminder that while the digital realm might feel like an infinite canvas, intellectual property rights still exist to protect the unique brushstrokes of creativity.
At the time of writing, the *Light of Motiram* Steam page is still up, and Eurogamer (who originally reported this story) has reached out to Tencent for comment. No word yet, but you can bet the legal wizards at both companies are going to be busy. Meanwhile, for fans of *Horizon*, Sony did announce a film adaptation earlier this year, so perhaps that’s something genuinely new to look forward to amidst the legal wrangling.
This entire saga is a fascinating peek behind the curtain of big-league game development, reminding us that even in worlds of magic and robot dinosaurs, the real battles often play out in the courtroom.
*This article was inspired by reporting from Eurogamer, specifically Victoria Phillips Kennedy's article 'Sony sues Tencent over "slavish" Horizon knock off Light of Motiram', published on July 29, 2025.*
Tags: Gaming Law, Intellectual Property, Horizon Series, Tencent, Industry News
Original article: Eurogamer