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, features explicit similarities to the universe created in Horizon Zero Dawn.
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In the lawsuit, Sony points to identical elements of gameplay, narrative, and art design between the two productions, which would constitute plagiarism. The company demands financial compensation and the complete removal of the title from the market.
Sony accuses the government of copying and demands immediate action
According to court documents, Sony considers the game 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 animal behavior, as well as a visual aesthetic reminiscent of the series' post-apocalyptic setting.
Sony alleges that Tencent was unauthorized to draw 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, as well as the destruction of all promotional and digital materials related to the new game.
Proposal rejected and launch controversial
Tencent approached Sony in 2024 with a proposal to collaborate on a new project in the Horizon franchise, but the Japanese company declined. Shortly after, the Chinese developer announced the development of Light of Motiram, immediately raising suspicions of intellectual property infringement.
The developer has not 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 future of the project is now uncertain and depends on judicial decisions in the coming months.
Horizon's history and franchise expansion
Released in 2017, Horizon Zero Dawn quickly established itself as one of PlayStation's flagship franchises. The game featured an engaging 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 boundaries between inspiration and plagiarism in the current landscape of the gaming industry, where large companies compete for originality as a strategic asset.
The companies have not yet commented publicly
To date, 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 made available to the public as soon as updates become available.
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