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

Sony vs. Tencent Lawsuit: Horizon Zero Dawn or Horizon Zero Originality?

Originally posted on Total Apex Gaming | By Mollie Dominy | Last updated Jul 29, 2025 9:41 PM ET

Oh, Sony. Just when you thought the gaming industry couldn’t get spicier, the PlayStation giant waltzes into court, kicking off a lawsuit against Tencent, accusing the Chinese conglomerate of delivering an unapologetic rip-off of their beloved Horizon series. I mean, if imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, Tencent’s Light of Motiram is basically looking over Horizon’s shoulder during the test. But Sony? Yeah, not impressed.

Writing Horizon’s Legacy in Bold Letters, Not Carbon Copies

First, the tea. Tencent’s Light of Motiram first surfaced late last year, and boy, did the internet have a LOT to say. From gameplay to aesthetics, it was like staring at Horizon Zero Dawn through a slightly foggy mirror. Robotic dinosaurs? Check. Post-apocalyptic jungle vibes? Check. Redhead with a bow? Oh, you better believe it. Gamers quickly labeled it “Horizon Zero Originality,” and honestly? Mood.

But Sony didn’t just sit back scrolling Twitter like the rest of us. They took this drama to court, filing a lawsuit in California that basically screams, “Come on, Tencent. At least TRY to be subtle.” According to Sony, Light of Motiram is a “slavish clone” of Horizon, blatantly copying gameplay, art direction, story elements, and more. What’s worse? Sony claims Tencent actually pitched a potential partnership to create a Horizon game not too long ago. The audacity!

Why This Lawsuit Isn’t Just Another Gaming Drama

Now, if you’re thinking, “A lawsuit over similar games? Isn’t that every day in the gaming industry?” Well, not quite. Sony isn’t just yelling “copycat” because two games have similar vibes. They’re weaponizing copyright and trademark laws to protect what makes Horizon unique—from its jaw-droppingly intricate robo-fauna to Aloy’s very specific brand of badassery. Sony’s main gripe? That Light of Motiram isn’t “inspired by” Horizon but straight-up trying to be it, potentially confusing customers into thinking the two are linked. Imagine buying a sandwich labeled “Big Smac” and realizing, no, it’s definitely NOT from that golden arches place.

And you’ve got to give it to Sony here. Protecting a franchise’s integrity isn’t just about sales. It’s about maintaining the trust of players who’ve invested in their IP. Say what you will about Sony’s platform exclusivity strategy, but when it comes to Horizon, it’s THEIR world, THEIR Aloy, THEIR Tallnecks (robot giraffe thingies, just FYI), and Tencent better keep its hands off.

What Does This Mean for the Gaming Industry?

Sony vs. Tencent Lawsuit: Horizon Zero Dawn or Horizon Zero Originality? 1 Image from Horizon Zero Dawn courtesy of Guerrilla Games

Oh, buckle up because this isn’t just petty gaming beef. It’s a big “keep-your-fake-robot-animals-away-from-my-real-robot-animals” energy, setting potential industry-wide precedent. What counts as inspiration versus outright theft? You’ve got developers walking the fine line between borrowing good ideas and crashing headfirst into legal drama. And cue every IP lawyer in California salivating at those billable hours.

For Tencent, the stakes are high. Sony isn’t just asking the court for monetary damages (an amount that remains undisclosed but, knowing Sony, probably isn’t couch-change). They’re also demanding that Tencent stop any and all activities that infringe upon Horizon’s creative elements. You know, like releasing Light of Motiram and pretending it’s not what it very clearly is. If Tencent loses, they may have to reimagine the entire game.

Sony’s Bottom Line Power Move

This lawsuit comes at a critical time for Sony as they’re flexing hard to reinforce their dominance in an increasingly competitive gaming business. With their continued push to expand Horizon’s footprint beyond consoles into TV adaptations (yes, please) and sequels (even more yes, please), protecting their IP is absolutely a strategic play. It essentially sends a “don’t mess with us” memo to anyone else considering plagiarizing their ideas. Bold move? Yes. Overkill? Not if you’ve poured millions into making Aloy’s hair physics perfect.

Gamers Speak Out

Unsurprisingly, gamers have been vocally invested in this entire saga. Whether they’re dragging Light of Motiram online for its blatant unoriginality or cheering Sony for taking a stand, the consensus seems to be that this is more than just Sony throwing its weight around. It’s about preserving creativity in an industry that too often churns out cookie-cutter games. Plus, let’s be real, the memes are golden. “Horizon Zero Originality”? Iconic.

What’s Next?

Will Sony come out on top, slaying Tencent’s knock-off ambitions like Aloy taking down a Thunderjaw? Or will Tencent manage to argue their way out of this with some creative re-skinning and a big, fat legal check? Only time and California’s legal system will tell. But in the meantime, we’re grabbing our popcorn (or maybe a roasted boar leg, Aloy style) and keeping an eye on this battle for gaming originality.

Remember, folks, creativity doesn’t just matter. It’s what sets apart the giants of the industry from the dime-a-dozen pretenders. Sony knows it, Tencent is about to learn it, and gamers? Well, they’re ready to keep calling out the impostors.

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

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