Lawsuit: Sony Accuses Tencent of "Servile Cloning" of Horizon
Sony Interactive Entertainment has filed a lawsuit against Tencent, one of the world's largest video game companies, alleging that its upcoming game, "Light of Motiram," is a "servile clone" of the Horizon franchise. The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, accuses Tencent of copyright and trademark infringement.
Sony is seeking a court order to block the release of "Light of Motiram," as well as monetary damages of up to $150,000 for each infringed work in the Horizon series. The company argues that the resemblance between the two games is so evident that it has led to negative comments and public confusion, with users calling it "shameless."
Infringement Details: Beyond Aesthetic Similarities
The lawsuit doesn't just point out superficial similarities; it accuses Tencent of replicating key elements of Horizon Zero Dawn and Horizon Forbidden West. These elements include the core concept of giant machines dominating a post-apocalyptic world, gameplay focused on hunting these creatures, and even a copy of the main character, Aloy.
Despite some visual differences, such as the dark hair of the "Light of Motiram" protagonist contrasting with Aloy's signature red hair, Sony alleges that Tencent has used similar marketing elements to cause confusion, making players believe it's a new Horizon title. The lawsuit also highlights the use of a helmet that makes the protagonist of Motiram look even more like Aloy.
A Failed License Attempt
The situation is further complicated by the fact that Tencent, through its Aurora Studios, presented a proposal to Sony in 2024 to develop a mobile game spinoff of Horizon. This proposal included elements with an Eastern aesthetic and survival mechanics, along with sketches showing Aloy standing in front of the Great Wall of China.
Sony rejected the proposal, but the lawsuit suggests that Tencent didn't give up and proceeded to develop "Light of Motiram" in 2023. Sony considers this a direct violation of its intellectual property rights.
Legal Precedent: The Palworld Case
The dispute between Sony and Tencent isn't an isolated incident. Last year, Nintendo and The Pokémon Company sued Pocketpair, the developer of Palworld, for alleged patent infringement. As a result of that lawsuit, Pocketpair had to remove certain features from its game.
The Future of the Case
Currently, neither Sony nor Tencent has publicly commented on the lawsuit. "Light of Motiram" still has pages on the Steam and Epic Games Stores, suggesting that Tencent still intends to release it. However, with the lawsuit underway, the game's future is uncertain.
The outcome of this case could significantly impact video game design practices and how companies handle "inspiration" from other successful franchises. The gaming community is closely watching this legal battle to see if Sony can protect its intellectual property and set a precedent that will safeguard other developers from potential imitation.
