Sony Files for Injunction Against Tencent Over Alleged Horizon-Inspired Game “Light of Motiram”

Sony Interactive Entertainment has taken a significant legal step in its ongoing dispute with Tencent, filing for a preliminary injunction to block the Chinese tech giant from using what it claims are copyrighted elements from its acclaimed Horizon franchise. The move comes as Sony intensifies its legal battle over Tencent’s upcoming game, Light of Motiram, which Sony alleges bears striking similarities to Horizon Zero Dawn and Horizon Forbidden West.

Since its announcement in November 2024, Light of Motiram has faced heavy criticism online, with many players pointing out resemblances between the two titles. From the red-haired tribal heroine and mechanical beasts to the game’s lush “post-post-apocalyptic” setting, critics have accused Tencent of taking too much inspiration from Guerrilla Games’ original vision. Sony appears to share that view, as the company filed a copyright and trademark infringement lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California in July 2025.

Tencent later moved to dismiss the case, claiming that Light of Motiram simply follows “classic gaming tropes” that aren’t owned by any one company. However, Sony has now responded by requesting an injunction to force Tencent to redesign several aspects of the game before its release.

⚖️ Sony Seeks to Halt Use of “Copied” Design Elements

In Sony’s motion filed on October 15, 2025, the company specifically asks the court to bar Tencent from using certain visual and musical elements it believes are copied directly from Horizon. The filing names the protagonist — described as a flame-haired tribal huntress — as a major point of contention, suggesting that her appearance and mannerisms are easily mistaken for Horizon’s heroine, Aloy.

Sony also alleges that the music featured in the game’s trailer bears strong similarities to tracks from the Horizon Zero Dawn soundtrack, particularly “City on the Mesa” and the series’ main theme, both composed by Joris de Man. According to the complaint, the overall presentation — combining machine-animal hybrids, vivid landscapes, and tribal societies — was the result of years of creative investment and cannot be dismissed as mere coincidence.

The document reads in part:

“SIE invested years and significant resources to build a distinctive world with its own tone and identity. Rather than crafting an original experience, Tencent chose to imitate.”

🏛️ Next Steps in the Legal Battle

Sony has requested a hearing date of November 20, 2025, to present its injunction before Judge Jacqueline Scott Corley. Whether the court will grant or delay this hearing remains to be seen. Legal experts, such as Games Fray’s Florian Mueller, have noted that obtaining a preliminary injunction may be challenging, as Light of Motiram is still under development — meaning the full extent of any alleged infringement may not yet be fully visible.

Interestingly, Tencent has already made minor changes to the game’s promotional materials, including character artwork and environment details, since the lawsuit was filed. While this does not indicate an admission of wrongdoing, such measures are often taken as a precaution to limit potential damages or to prepare for settlement negotiations.

As of now, Tencent’s legal team is expected to file its official response later this month. If the case proceeds to trial, it could become one of the most significant intellectual property disputes in gaming history — potentially setting a precedent for how far “inspiration” can go before it becomes “imitation.”