Sony has filed a lawsuit against Tencent, claiming that Light of Motiram rips off the design, look, and feel of its Horizon franchise. The company warns that the similarities could mislead players and cause lasting damage to one of its most valuable series.
Light of Motiram copies Horizon’s visuals
Court documents argue that Light of Motiram borrows too much from Horizon. The mechanical creatures, tribal warrior aesthetics, and even the color palettes are almost indistinguishable. Promotional art includes a red‑haired hunter with near‑identical gear, which Sony says blurs the line between imitation and theft.
Sony has announced the most downloaded PlayStation games of the past month, featuring popular PS4, PS5, and PS VR games.
Sony rejected Tencent’s Horizon pitch
According to the filings, Tencent once proposed a collaboration on an official Horizon spinoff that featured multiplayer and an Eastern setting. Sony declined. Shortly after, Tencent unveiled Light of Motiram, sparking immediate suspicion that the concept had been lifted and reworked without approval.
Tencent’s project borrows beyond visuals
Though Tencent advertises different gameplay emphasizing survival, co‑op combat, and resource gathering, Sony highlights repeating elements. Light of Motiram still includes machine enemies, tribal factions, and gliding mechanics. Even the soundtrack direction feels familiar, with a composer tied to Horizon’s past installments contributing.
Sony’s legal demands
Sony’s lawsuit aims for two outcomes:
- An injunction blocking the launch of Light of Motiram in regions where Sony holds rights
- Financial penalties of up to $150,000 per infringement
Sony stresses that without these measures, the game could erode the identity of its Horizon series.
A bigger question for game design
The case against Light of Motiram raises issues that reach beyond this single project. It tests how much inspiration developers can take before crossing legal boundaries. It may also reshape how publishers protect their worlds and characters in an industry where visual style often drives recognition.
For Sony, this isn’t just about one title. The fight over Light of Motiram represents a stand against imitation that edges too close to duplication. If the court sides with Sony, the message will be clear: in gaming, creative shortcuts can come with heavy costs.
