Sony vs. Tencent: Horizon Copycat Removed from Steam After Legal Settlement

In a sudden conclusion to a high-profile legal standoff, the controversial game Light of Motiram has been removed from Steam and the Epic Games Store. This action follows a confidential settlement reached between Sony Interactive Entertainment and Chinese tech giant Tencent, effectively ending a lawsuit in which Sony accused the game of being a “slavish clone” of its popular Horizon franchise.

The legal battle, which had been heating up with fierce exchanges between the two corporate titans, came to an abrupt halt this week. Court documents filed on Wednesday confirmed that the proceedings have been dismissed following an undisclosed agreement. While the specific terms of the settlement remain private, the immediate removal of the game from major PC storefronts suggests a decisive victory for Sony.

A “Slavish Clone” Accusation

At the heart of the dispute was Sony’s claim that Light of Motiram infringed upon the intellectual property of the Horizon series, known for its distinct aesthetic of robotic creatures roaming a post-apocalyptic wilderness. Sony’s legal team argued that the similarities were not coincidental but a calculated attempt to “devalue its brand” by mimicking the unique visual style and mechanics of games like Horizon Zero Dawn and Horizon Forbidden West.

Tencent had vigorously defended its project, countering that Sony was attempting to establish “an impermissible monopoly on genre conventions.” The company argued that the elements in question were broad thematic tropes rather than protected intellectual property.

Failed Pitch to Legal Battle

The roots of this conflict reportedly trace back to a failed business proposal. Sources indicate that Tencent had previously pitched a mobile adaptation of the Horizon franchise to Sony. When the pitch was rejected, Sony alleged that the project was repurposed into Light of Motiram, retaining many of the core elements that had been developed for the licensed game.

This context adds a layer of complexity to the “rip-off” claims, painting the game not just as a copycat, but as a direct descendant of a cancelled collaboration. The timing of the settlement is also notable, as the case was scheduled to go to trial in January. The sudden resolution implies that one party—likely Tencent, given the game’s removal—wished to avoid the uncertainty and potential damages of a court verdict.

What This Means for the Future

For now, Light of Motiram is effectively dead in the water on major platforms, though its official website remains online. The settlement serves as a stern warning to other developers about the legal risks of treading too closely to established IP, especially when dealing with litigious giants like Sony.

Meanwhile, the Horizon universe continues to expand legitimately. While Light of Motiram exits the stage, fans are looking toward the recently announced mobile and PC MMO Horizon Steel Frontiers, a collaboration between Sony and NCSoft, which promises to bring the franchise to a broader audience without the legal baggage.