Sony and Tencent Settle Horizon “Clone” Lawsuit as Light of Motiram Disappears From Digital Stores
Sony Interactive Entertainment’s legal dispute with Tencent over the game Light of Motiram has concluded far sooner than many expected. After filing a lawsuit in July accusing Tencent of producing a “slavish clone” of the Horizon franchise, Sony has now reached a confidential settlement with the Chinese tech giant. The case has been officially dismissed with prejudice, effectively closing the matter and preventing it from being refiled. The dismissal was confirmed through a court document filed this week.
Shortly after news of the settlement emerged, Light of Motiram was quietly removed from major digital storefronts. The game is no longer listed on Steam or the Epic Games Store, despite the official Light of Motiram website still displaying links to both platforms at the time of writing. Members of the game’s community quickly noticed the disappearance, with a post on the official subreddit highlighting the removal. A corresponding SteamDB entry confirms that the title has been retired and is no longer available on the Steam store.
Light of Motiram was originally announced last year, immediately drawing attention for its strong visual similarities to Sony’s Horizon series. The reveal footage showcased lush natural environments, advanced futuristic technology, and large animal like robotic creatures, elements that closely echoed the aesthetic identity established by Guerrilla Games. The reveal trailer further intensified comparisons, sparking debate across social media and industry circles.
In its legal complaint, Sony argued that Tencent’s project went beyond inspiration and crossed into direct infringement. According to the original lawsuit filing, Sony alleged that Tencent copied protected audiovisual elements from the Horizon games and deliberately designed a protagonist that closely resembled Aloy, using the character as the centerpiece of its marketing and promotional materials. Sony claimed these actions constituted both copyright and trademark infringement and posed a risk of consumer confusion.
The dispute drew broader attention following coverage by The Verge, which detailed Sony’s argument that Tencent’s actions caused immediate and irreparable harm to Sony Interactive Entertainment and the wider gaming audience. At the time, Sony sought to halt the game’s release entirely.
Following the settlement, Tencent confirmed that both parties had agreed to resolve the matter privately. Sean Durkin, head of communications for Tencent Americas, stated that the companies are pleased to have reached a confidential resolution and will offer no further public comment. He also noted that Sony Interactive Entertainment and Tencent look forward to working together in the future. Sony did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
While the exact terms of the settlement remain undisclosed, the removal of Light of Motiram from major storefronts strongly suggests that the outcome favored Sony’s position. The rapid conclusion of the case and the disappearance of the game underline how aggressively major publishers are prepared to defend their flagship intellectual properties, particularly when visual identity and character recognition are involved.
The episode also serves as a cautionary tale for developers operating in an increasingly competitive global market. As production values rise and stylistic boundaries blur, the line between inspiration and infringement continues to be tested. In this case, that line appears to have been drawn decisively.
Do you think cases like this will discourage studios from taking creative risks, or are they necessary to protect iconic franchises from imitation? Share your thoughts below.
