In a move that has captured the attention of the gaming community, Sony has initiated legal proceedings against Tencent over its newly announced game, Light of Motiram. The lawsuit stems from striking similarities between this title and Sony’s acclaimed franchise, Horizon Zero Dawn. Both games share a lush post-apocalyptic setting and feature a female protagonist wielding a bow, who battles and tames mechanical creatures.
Allegations of Intellectual Property Infringement
Sony’s complaint characterizes Tencent’s Light of Motiram as a “slavish clone” of the Horizon series, alleging that it mirrors not only the aesthetic and themes but also the gameplay mechanics in a manner that could mislead consumers. The company is seeking unspecified monetary damages and a court order to prevent Tencent from infringing upon its intellectual property rights.
Interestingly, Tencent had previously promoted a trailer for Light of Motiram on the PlayStation China Weibo account, indicating a level of collaboration that has now turned contentious. The game is set to launch on multiple platforms, including the PlayStation 5 and Steam, further complicating the situation.
In its complaint, Sony also highlights a past meeting where Tencent pitched a game concept set within the Horizon universe. According to Sony, at no point did Tencent disclose that it was already developing a game based on Horizon assets. This revelation has led Sony to believe that Tencent is intentionally violating its intellectual property rights.
The Broader Context of Game Cloning
The gaming industry has seen its fair share of clones, with titles like Vampire Survivors drawing inspiration from earlier games without facing legal repercussions. In some cases, companies have opted for collaboration over confrontation, as evidenced by Konami’s partnership with the developer of Magic Survival to create official Castlevania DLC. However, the dynamics shift considerably when the parties involved are major tech giants.
As the legal battle unfolds, it remains to be seen whether Light of Motiram will be able to launch in its current form or if Sony’s claims will lead to significant changes in the game’s development. The outcome could set a precedent for how intellectual property disputes are handled in the gaming industry, particularly among large corporations.
