Sony has filed a lawsuit against Tencent in the United States for copyright infringement involving the Horizon franchise. According to the Japanese giant, the Chinese company's new game, titled Light of Motiram, bears explicit similarities to the universe created in Horizon Zero Dawn.
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In the lawsuit, Sony points out that gameplay, narrative, and artistic design elements are identical between the two productions, which constitutes plagiarism. The company is demanding financial compensation and the complete withdrawal of the title from the market.
Sony accuses copying and demands immediate action
According to court documents, Sony considers Light of Motiram to be a direct reproduction of key aspects of the Horizon franchise. Furthermore, it includes the use of open-world environments inhabited by mechanical creatures with animalistic behavior, as well as visual aesthetics that evoke the series' post-apocalyptic setting.
Sony alleges that Tencent took unauthorized inspiration from artistic concepts developed over years by the team at Guerrilla Games, the studio responsible for creating Horizon Zero Dawn. The lawsuit seeks damages of up to $150,000 for each violation, in addition to the destruction of all promotional and digital materials related to the new game.
Rejected proposal and controversial launch
Tencent approached Sony in 2024 with a proposal to collaborate on a new Horizon franchise project, but the Japanese company declined. Shortly thereafter, the Chinese developer announced the development of Light of Motiram, immediately sparking suspicions of intellectual property misappropriation.
The developer hasn't yet set a release date for the new title, but had previously confirmed that the game would initially be released for computers. With the filing of the lawsuit, the project's future is now uncertain and depends on court decisions in the coming months.
Horizon History and Franchise Expansion
Released in 2017, Horizon Zero Dawn quickly established itself as one of PlayStation's flagship franchises. The game featured a compelling narrative and a visually stunning universe. The success of the first title led to the release of Horizon Forbidden West in 2022 and the announcement of a live-action adaptation in development by Columbia Pictures and PlayStation Studios.
Therefore, the case represents not only a commercial dispute, but also a warning sign about the limits between inspiration and plagiarism in the current gaming industry scenario, where large companies compete for originality as a strategic asset.
Companies have not yet commented publicly.
So far, neither Sony nor Tencent have released official statements regarding the lawsuit. The international press continues to follow the case, which could set important precedents for the global game development market. New information will be released to the public as updates become available.
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