Sony vs. Tencent: Horizon Lookalike Sparks Legal Showdown

A legal thunderstorm is brewing in the global gaming arena, as Sony Interactive Entertainment files suit against Tencent over its upcoming title Light of Motiram. Sony claims the game is a “slavish clone” of its acclaimed Horizon franchise, accusing Tencent of copying character design, gameplay mechanics, and visual themes nearly beat-for-beat.

Filed in a California district court, the lawsuit argues that Light of Motiram borrows heavily from Horizon Zero Dawn and Horizon Forbidden West, including a red-haired, bow-wielding female protagonist, robotic enemies, and a post-apocalyptic narrative structure. According to court filings obtained by GamesIndustry.biz and IGN, Sony is pursuing damages and an injunction to block the game’s global release.

Tencent, a dominant player in the gaming world and parent company of studios like Riot Games and Supercell, has not yet responded publicly. But analysts suggest this dispute could set a pivotal precedent in how intellectual property law is applied to game design, especially in an era where genre similarities are common and inspiration often walks a fine line.

Legal experts note that this case echoes past clashes like Epic Games vs. Nreal or PUBG Corp. vs. NetEase, where courts have struggled to define the threshold between homage and infringement.

For Sony, the suit is as much about brand integrity as legal boundaries. Horizon has become a cornerstone of the PlayStation identity, and protecting its uniqueness sends a strong message to competitors.

As the courtroom battle heats up, developers and publishers alike are watching, because the outcome could redefine what it means to be “inspired by” versus “copied from” in today’s hypercompetitive gaming industry.