Sony Sues Tencent for Alleged Horizon Game Copy
▼ Summary
– Sony has sued Tencent, alleging its game *Light of Motiram* is a “slavish clone” of the *Horizon* series, citing copyright and trademark infringement.
– Sony filed the lawsuit on July 25 in California, seeking a jury trial and aiming to block the game’s release.
– Sony claims Tencent previously pitched licensing the *Horizon* IP but was declined, then proceeded to create a similar game.
– Sony accuses Tencent of misleading players by promoting *Light of Motiram* with a character resembling *Horizon*’s Aloy, causing confusion.
– Sony is demanding up to $150,000 per infringed work and the destruction of all related Tencent marketing materials.
Sony has launched legal action against Tencent, accusing the Chinese tech giant of creating a near-identical copy of its popular Horizon franchise. The lawsuit, filed in California, claims Tencent’s upcoming title Light of Motiram blatantly rips off key elements from Sony’s acclaimed series, including character design and gameplay mechanics.
According to court documents, Sony Interactive Entertainment alleges that Tencent approached them first for a licensing deal, which was rejected. Instead, the company proceeded with development, producing what Sony describes as a “slavish clone” designed to mislead fans. Social media reactions cited in the filing include widespread criticism, with players calling the similarities “shameless” and “insane.”
The complaint highlights Tencent’s promotional tactics, arguing they intentionally evoke Horizon’s iconic protagonist, Aloy, to create confusion. Sony insists this has already caused significant harm to its brand and is pushing for an injunction to block the game’s release. Additionally, the company seeks $150,000 in statutory damages per infringed work and demands the destruction of all marketing materials containing what it deems unauthorized Horizon-inspired assets.
Developed by Tencent subsidiary Polaris Quest, Light of Motiram currently sits on Steam as a wishlist item with no confirmed launch date. The legal battle could delay or even halt its distribution entirely if Sony prevails. This case underscores the growing tensions in the gaming industry over intellectual property rights, particularly as major players expand their global footprints.
Reports indicate the lawsuit was initially uncovered by Reuters, though neither Tencent nor Polaris Quest has issued a public response. Industry analysts will be watching closely, as the outcome could set a precedent for how similar disputes are handled moving forward.
(Source: GameSpot)
