Chinese gaming giant Tencent is now facing a legal battle with Sony Interactive Entertainment over its upcoming title, Light of Motiram, which many believe bears a striking resemblance to Sony’s acclaimed Horizon series. Interestingly, recent reports reveal that Tencent had once officially pitched a Horizon-related project to Sony, long before this controversy began.
In November 2024, Tencent unveiled Light of Motiram, a futuristic survival game featuring robotic beasts called “Mechanimals” that players can tame and ride. The game’s protagonist? A red-haired woman equipped with a bow, immediately drawing comparisons to Aloy, the iconic lead of the Horizon franchise. It didn’t take long for fans—and Sony—to notice the uncanny similarities.
Earlier this week, Sony confirmed it would be taking legal action against Tencent, accusing the company of copyright infringement. According to Sony’s statement, Light of Motiram is a “blatant imitation” of the Horizon games, copying not only the mechanical creatures but also character designs and overall aesthetic. Sony is demanding up to $150,000 in statutory damages per infringement and is seeking to halt the game’s release entirely. If successful, Tencent may be forced to destroy all promotional materials and cease development of the title.
Tencent's Original Horizon Pitch: A Mobile Spin-Off That Never Happened
The connection between Light of Motiram and Horizon appears to go beyond visual similarities. As uncovered by recent legal documents, Tencent and its internal studio, Aurora, had approached Sony in March 2024 with a proposal for a Horizon mobile spin-off, designed as a live-service (GaaS) project.
Tencent’s concept envisioned Aloy traveling to the ruins of Asia, guided by a mysterious force referred to as the “Orient.” Early concept art from this pitch showed Aloy standing atop the remains of the Great Wall of China, surrounded by lush overgrowth and mechanical creatures inspired by Eastern myths, including a dragon-like Machine.
The proposal also included new tribal factions, with designs inspired by diverse Asian cultural motifs. Tencent's goal was to create a Horizon experience that resonated with the Chinese gaming audience, leveraging the franchise's global popularity while bringing a fresh, regionally-inspired twist.
In a bid to win over Sony, Tencent’s development team even presented screenshots of its staff actively playing Horizon titles, showcasing their dedication to the project. Despite these efforts, Sony declined Tencent’s pitch in April 2024.
From Rejected Pitch to Legal Dispute
Just a few months after this rejection, Tencent announced Light of Motiram, which conspicuously lacked the distinct Eastern influences of its original Horizon proposal. Instead, the game’s visuals and mechanics appeared to mimic the existing Horizon games directly, leading Sony to allege that Tencent repurposed its initial pitch into a derivative project without authorization.
Sony’s legal filing highlights that Horizon has sold over 32 million copies worldwide since the release of Horizon Zero Dawn in 2017, underscoring the franchise's value and why protecting its intellectual property is critical.
If the lawsuit proceeds in Sony’s favor, Tencent may be forced to halt the launch of Light of Motiram entirely—a significant blow, considering the game’s high-profile reveal and anticipated release.
What’s Next?
Neither Sony nor Tencent has provided further comments beyond the official filings, but this legal clash could set a new precedent in the gaming industry regarding IP protection and international collaborations gone awry. For now, the gaming community watches closely as this Horizon-related controversy unfolds.
