Sony Sues Tencent Over "Slavish Clone" of Horizon Games

Sony Interactive Entertainment has initiated legal action against Tencent in a California federal court, alleging that the latter’s upcoming title, Light of Motiram, constitutes a direct copyright and trademark infringement of the Horizon game franchise. The lawsuit characterizes the title as a "slavish clone," citing significant similarities in aesthetic and thematic elements, including post-apocalyptic settings, the presence of mechanical beasts, and the use of indigenous-inspired motifs paired with advanced technology.

The conflict stems from a series of failed business negotiations between the two entities. Sony reports that Tencent’s Aurora Studios approached them in early 2024 with a proposal to develop a licensed Horizon game, an offer that was rejected. Sony contends that Light of Motiram was already in development at the time of these discussions, potentially dating back to 2023. Despite subsequent attempts by Sony to resolve the matter informally and demand the withdrawal of the project, Tencent reportedly continued to promote the game and prepare for global testing, prompting the current litigation.

The legal filing seeks to protect Sony’s intellectual property by requesting a court order to prevent the release of the game in its current form. While Tencent has not provided a public response to the allegations, the case highlights ongoing tensions regarding intellectual property rights and the development of derivative works within the global gaming industry. The dispute underscores the high stakes involved in protecting unique, high-value franchises from unauthorized replication by major industry competitors.