Sony has reportedly filed a lawsuit against Tencent, accusing the Chinese tech giant of copying its popular Horizon video game franchise. The complaint claims that Tencent’s upcoming title, Light of Motiram, is a near-identical replica or what Sony calls a “slavish clone” of the Horizon series developed by Guerrilla Games, a Sony-owned studio.
Sony Claims Tencent’s Game Imitates Horizon’s Core Design
As reported by Reuters, Sony alleges that Light of Motiram borrows heavily from its Horizon games, namely Horizon Zero Dawn and Horizon Forbidden West. Both titles are known for their unique post-apocalyptic setting, where AI-powered machines dominate the Earth and humans fight for survival by hunting, scavenging, and uncovering remnants of the past.
Sony points out that Tencent’s game shares key visual and thematic elements with Horizon such as open-world exploration, mechanical creatures, and character outfits closely resembling those seen in the Horizon series.
Tencent’s Description Hints at Similar Themes
According to Tencent’s own description, Light of Motiram is set in a world where human civilisation has collapsed. Players are tasked with exploring grasslands, forests, deserts, and mountains while encountering “Mechanimals” and uncovering ruins to reveal the secrets of Motiram. Sony argues that this mirrors Horizon’s narrative structure and aesthetic too closely to be coincidental.
No Official Release Date Yet
While Light of Motiram is yet to receive an official release date, it has already appeared on platforms like Steam and the Epic Games Store. The legal outcome could potentially impact its launch timeline.
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