Key Takeaways
1. Sony has filed a lawsuit against Tencent in California, accusing them of copyright and trademark violations for creating a “slavish clone” of its Horizon series with the game Light of Motiram.
2. Sony claims that Light of Motiram closely mimics unique aspects of Horizon’s world, including gameplay and character design, particularly resembling Horizon’s main character, Alloy.
3. Tencent had previously approached Sony in 2024 to collaborate on a mobile game based on Horizon, which Sony declined, leading to the development of Light of Motiram shortly after.
4. Sony is seeking statutory damages for each infringement and demands that Tencent remove all products and promotional materials related to Light of Motiram.
5. The gaming community has largely reacted negatively towards Light of Motiram, labeling it a blatant copy of Horizon, which Sony emphasizes in its legal complaint.
Sony has accused Tencent, a large Chinese company, of creating a “slavish clone” of its popular Horizon series. They have taken this matter to the federal court in California, claiming copyright and trademark violations.
Details of the Lawsuit
In the legal complaint, Sony argues that the new game, Light of Motiram, is being seen by gamers and creators as an obvious copy, mimicking many unique aspects of Horizon’s world. According to information from Reuters, Sony states that Tencent had approached them in 2024 to propose a joint project for a mobile game based on Horizon, an idea that Sony declined. Shortly after, Tencent revealed Light of Motiram.
The Pitch from Tencent
Tencent suggested a Horizon-themed spin-off infused with “Eastern aesthetics,” featuring multiplayer options and elements like “survival, crafting, and pet taming.” The lawsuit claims that the gameplay, themes, and various artistic aspects of Tencent’s game closely mimic those found in Horizon, including a main character that bears a striking resemblance to Horizon’s Alloy.
Sony also mentioned in the lawsuit that Tencent’s actions have caused significant and irreversible harm to SIE, and they are pursuing statutory damages for “each separate work in the Horizon franchise infringed.” Furthermore, they aim for Tencent to eliminate all products and promotional materials associated with the game.
Community Reactions
For months, gamers and journalists have been labeling Light of Motiram as a blatant rip-off, a point that Sony highlights in their legal action. It’s quite evident why this sentiment exists.
Tencent revealed Light of Motiram on November 28, 2024, intending to launch it on PC, PlayStation 5, Android, and iOS platforms. However, no official release date has been announced yet.
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