Sony Lawsuit Bombshell: Tencent Wanted ‘Horizon’ Deal Before Allegedly Copying It
In a twist no one saw coming, Sony has filed a lawsuit against Tencent. The lawsuit centers on the Chinese giant’s heavily criticized game, Light of Motiram, and brings some major new details about the game’s origins to light. Let’s dive in and find out more!
Check out the Light of Motiram reveal and the backlash it received from gamers in late 2024!
The news came as a surprise from a lawsuit filed in a California court on July 25, 2025. Sony is suing Tencent for copyright and trademark infringement of its Horizon series, with the controversial Light of Motiram at the heart of the case.
This lawsuit against the Chinese tech giant could shake up the boundaries between inspiration and straight-up plagiarism. Find the best prices on Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered and relive Aloy’s first adventure!
The Background: Two Industry Giants Face Off
On one side, we have Sony, representing its celebrated Horizon IP. It’s a series of post-apocalyptic open-world games following the protagonist, Aloy, in a world dominated by animal-like machines. The series has been a massive success, cementing it as one of PlayStation’s most renowned and important IPs.
On the other side is Tencent, a Chinese behemoth and one of the largest shareholders in the video game industry. It holds huge investments in many studios and publishers, including full ownership of Riot Games, as well as shares in Epic Games, Ubisoft, and Activision/Blizzard, with its investments and acquisitions continuously growing.
At the Heart of the Controversy: Is ‘Light of Motiram’, a ‘Servile Clone’?
Sony has laid out a detailed list of troubling similarities. It starts with the post-apocalyptic world where humanity has returned to a tribal state and battles animalistic machines. The visual style is strikingly similar, including a protagonist design that is very reminiscent of Aloy. But other details, like a font that is extremely similar to the Horizon series, extending even to the UI and icons, are also mentioned. And finally, the machine designs are just way too inspired.
The legal filing also reveals a crucial new detail about Tencent’s negotiations. Back in 2024, Tencent allegedly tried to get a license to develop a Horizon game. After Sony’s refusal, the reveal of Light of Motiram followed shortly after, incorporating numerous ideas from the project pitched during the negotiations. The document also mentions a subsequent approach by the giant for an “amicable dispute” over the license.
Sony sues Tencent for allegedly ripping off ‘Horizon’ video games https://t.co/LPQKKLmZXm https://t.co/LPQKKLmZXm
— Reuters (@Reuters) July 29, 2025
Legal Issues and Potential Consequences
Sony is therefore accusing Tencent of copyright infringement, trademark infringement, and false designation of origin. The company is demanding not only damages of up to $150,000 per work but also the destruction of all infringing materials and an injunction to halt the development of Light of Motiram.
This case could set a historic precedent in the video game industry. The accusations are being heavily discussed by Horizon series fans and video game journalists alike. The outcome could have a global impact on the future and the line between plagiarism and inspiration.
Conclusion
In short, the lawsuit filed by Sony against the giant Tencent is something the entire video game industry will be watching closely. The decision of the California court could lead to new cases in the future, as well as potential regulations. This could mean new limits not just in the video game market, but also in the global market concerning intellectual properties.
A video game enthusiast ever since I first got my hands on a Game Boy. Over the years, I've played many different games across various genres, discovering hidden gems and niche titles along the way. I'm also passionate about technology, always up-to-date with the latest news and insight in the PC and Console market. Ready to share and bring you the latest news !
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