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- Image of Horizon Zero Dawn, Courtesy of Sony

Sony Provides A Legal Horizon, Zero-Dawn on Tencent Over Its New Game

Originally posted on Total Apex Gaming | By David Gilbert | Last updated Oct 17, 2025 11:19 AM ET

Earlier this year, Sony initiated a lawsuit against the Chinese technology giant Tencent over their new game, Light of Motiram, labeling it a slavish clone of Horizon Zero Dawn. Tencent subsidiary Polaris Quest responded to this lawsuit by quickly removing any suspiciously familiar robot creatures and protagonist lookalikes from the game’s promotional materials. But did Tencent simply back down after that initial scrubbing?

Sony Sues Over Suspect Saber-tooths

It’s not quite clear what the reasoning behind the company’s decision is. Back in September, Tencent argued that Sony was improperly trying to claim ownership over a common segment of popular culture. With this legal volley, both companies found themselves in an increasingly contentious dispute. Sony has now powerfully returned serve with a hefty 35-page rebuttal, dismissing the tech company’s defense as pure nonsense. Furthermore, Sony revealed significant consumer confusion as clear evidence of injury.

Specifically, the gaming community asserted that the damage is already done and continues to unfold, maintaining that Tencent and its controlled entities have engaged in clear intellectual property infringement. Not only that, but Sony insists that the tech giant’s legal arguments lack any solid foundation. The gaming company describes the tech giant’s motion as entirely meritless and worthy of denial. Not only is the history of Horizon Zero Dawn fully detailed in the opposition document, but Tencent’s previous desired creation of an official spin-off was also revealed.

When Inspiration Crosses the Line

Images from Light of Motiram & Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered, Courtesy of Polaris Quest & Guerrilla Games

In Sony’s filing, Tencent’s proposal for a new Horizon title was explicitly declined. Unfortunately, the tech giant wasn’t deterred whatsoever by this rejection, with the new legal document confirming it proceeded to create its game anyway. Moreover, it highlights how blatant the copying was, as both journalists and fans immediately identified the similarities.

For many players, the tech giant’s game is considered a major rip-off and an obvious knock-off. Sony’s statement provides examples of the copying, which included the main character resembling Aloy and the overall post-apocalyptic setting. So, what exactly can a corporate titan do when it feels its iconic red braids have been digitally stolen? Given Sony’s actions, fighting back with every legal tool available is its answer.

Protecting a Horizon from Imitation

Despite the lawsuit’s length and numerous specific points, the core of this 35-page document ultimately boils down to a single, straightforward request. Specifically, Sony is using this court filing to formally ask the court to dismiss Tencent’s motion from September. The high stakes involved in the gaming industry, where original ideas are fiercely protected, are further showcased in this legal battle. So, in a world full of original concepts, why would one company follow another so closely?

Neither side is showing signs of surrender even as the situation continues to develop. After all, how can these numerous legal pages definitively prove a robot dinosaur is unique? While the courtroom will ultimately decide the fates of both companies, the gaming world can only watch these two giants clash over digital territory and creative ownership. Consequently, this legal clash is producing high-stakes drama with millions of dollars and artistic pride on the line.

This article first appeared on Total Apex Gaming and was syndicated with permission.

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