Table of Contents
Sony Sues Tencent for Alleged Horizon Copycat Game
At Squaredtech.co, we track major tech disputes with precision, and this week, one of gaming’s biggest publishers has taken its intellectual property battle to court. Sony Interactive Entertainment has filed a lawsuit against Tencent Holdings Ltd. in a California federal court, accusing the Chinese tech giant of copying its flagship Horizon video game series.
Filed on Friday, the lawsuit alleges that Tencent’s upcoming game, Light of Motiram, is a near-identical copy of Sony’s popular Horizon franchise. According to the filing, Sony claims the new game rips off multiple elements of Horizon, including gameplay mechanics, story structure, artistic style, and visual design.
The legal filing names the case as Sony Interactive Entertainment LLC v. Tencent Holdings Ltd., filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, case number 3:25-cv-06275.
Sony is asking the court for monetary damages and a court order to block Tencent from distributing Light of Motiram or using any elements that allegedly infringe on Sony’s intellectual property.
Tencent’s “Light of Motiram” Sparks Copyright Controversy
The central claim in Sony’s lawsuit is that Tencent has produced what it calls a “slavish clone” of the Horizon series. The lawsuit highlights that Light of Motiram allegedly duplicates Horizon’s core gameplay experience. This includes a red-headed female protagonist, a post-apocalyptic setting, tribal human societies, and robotic creatures—hallmarks that define the Horizon universe.
Sony also noted that video game journalists have spotted the similarities. One critic famously dubbed Tencent’s game “Horizon Zero Originality,” a direct jab at its similarities to Horizon Zero Dawn, the original game Sony released in 2017 for PlayStation 4.
Sony’s legal team—Annette Hurst, Diana Rutowski, and Laura Wytsma from Orrick Herrington & Sutcliffe—is leading the lawsuit. Tencent has not yet disclosed legal representation for this case.
At Squaredtech, we reviewed Sony’s claims and compared publicly released footage of Light of Motiram. While not every detail is confirmed, the visible resemblance is enough to raise legitimate questions about creative originality and copyright violations in the gaming industry.
Sony Says Tencent Previously Proposed a Horizon Partnership
According to Sony’s legal complaint, this copyright dispute traces back to a failed business deal. In 2023, Tencent reportedly approached Sony with a proposal to collaborate on a new Horizon game. Sony declined the offer.
Shortly after, Tencent unveiled Light of Motiram, which now appears to mirror Sony’s original franchise far too closely. Sony alleges that Tencent moved forward with a project that directly borrows ideas, story arcs, and artistic elements initially discussed in the failed partnership pitch.
Sony claims this history makes Tencent’s intent clear: to profit from the Horizon formula without Sony’s permission.
At Squaredtech.co, we believe this lawsuit reflects deeper concerns in the global gaming market, where IP theft accusations have become more common as publishers rush to launch blockbuster-style titles with familiar mechanics.
What’s Next in the Sony vs Tencent Legal Fight?
Sony’s legal action is a warning to other developers and studios: the company will defend its intellectual property aggressively. If the court rules in Sony’s favor, Tencent could be forced to halt the release of Light of Motiram and pay damages for infringement.
Tencent, a powerhouse in mobile and console gaming, has yet to issue a formal response. Spokespeople from both companies did not comment on the lawsuit when contacted earlier this week.
As of now, the future of Light of Motiram is uncertain. The game has not launched publicly, and pending court decisions could impact its development or release strategy. If a court issues an injunction, Tencent may be forced to revise or cancel the game altogether.
This lawsuit also brings up questions about how much inspiration is acceptable before a game crosses the line into infringement. Sony’s decision to go to court suggests it believes Light of Motiram goes too far.
At Squaredtech, we’re closely watching this case. Not just because of the companies involved, but because it could set a legal precedent in how far studios can push creative borrowing before they face legal risk.
Final Word from Squaredtech.co
This lawsuit between Sony and Tencent could become one of the most talked-about gaming disputes of 2025. It blends rejected deals, near-identical game design, and strong accusations of creative theft. Whether the court sides with Sony remains to be seen, but the case clearly highlights growing tensions over originality and intellectual property in the gaming industry.
As a brand focused on covering digital innovation and industry developments, Squaredtech will continue to provide updates as the lawsuit progresses.
For now, the message is clear: if a studio copies the wrong game, the consequences can be severe—and expensive.
Stay Updated: Gaming
