Sony has filed a legal complaint against Tencent, accusing the company of replicating core elements from its Horizon franchise in the recently unveiled title Light of Motiram. The lawsuit alleges trademark violations and unauthorized use of intellectual property.

First revealed in late 2024, Light of Motiram drew instant comparisons to Guerrilla Games’ Horizon series. Observers noted strikingly similar visual designs, narrative themes, and gameplay mechanics that appeared nearly identical to Sony’s acclaimed post-apocalyptic RPGs. Tencent’s subsequent gameplay demonstrations failed to distinguish Motiram as an original creation, further fueling accusations of blatant imitation.

A Reuters article highlights Sony’s legal documentation, which references gaming journalists’ critiques labeling Motiram as “unapologetically derivative” and quoting headlines that mockingly dubbed it “Horizon: Zero Innovation.” Court filings also reveal that Tencent previously sought collaboration on an official Horizon adaptation, a proposal Sony rejected prior to Motiram’s development.

While public perception leans heavily toward viewing Motiram as an imitation, legal hurdles remain in proving copyright infringement. This case draws parallels to Nintendo’s ongoing battle against PocketPair’s Palworld, underscoring the gaming industry’s complex challenges regarding intellectual property protection. The outcome could establish crucial precedents for handling similar disputes in future.