Horizon Zero Dawn Knock-Off Lawsuit Between Sony and Tencent Is Settled

The legal dispute between Sony and Tencent over an alleged Horizon Zero Dawn knock-off has officially come to an end. The lawsuit focused on Tencent-backed game Das Licht von Motiram, which Sony argued copied major elements from Guerrilla Games’ Horizon franchise. After months of legal back-and-forth, both parties reached a settlement, bringing the case to a close without a public court ruling on infringement.

As reported by Kotaku, Sony initially filed the lawsuit after trailers and promotional material for Light of Motiram drew widespread comparisons to Horizon Zero Dawn. Visual similarities included mechanical animal designs, environmental style, and the overall tone of the world. Fans quickly labeled the game a clone, which pushed the issue into the spotlight before legal action followed.

What the Lawsuit Was About

Sony claimed that Light of Motiram borrowed too heavily from Horizon’s distinctive identity rather than drawing inspiration from the broader science-fiction genre. The complaint focused on similarities in character silhouettes, robotic creature designs, and world-building elements. Sony argued that these overlaps went beyond coincidence and risked confusing players about the origin of the game.

Tencent did not publicly admit wrongdoing as part of the settlement. Instead, both companies agreed to resolve the matter privately. According to the report, the settlement terms remain confidential, and neither side disclosed whether financial compensation or changes to the game were involved.

Status of Light of Motiram After the Settlement

The settlement leaves several open questions about the future of Light of Motiram. Tencent has not confirmed whether the game will receive visual changes or rebranding before release. The project remains listed as in development, but its public presence has become noticeably quieter since the lawsuit surfaced.

Industry observers note that settlements of this kind often include behind-the-scenes agreements that never reach the public. While Sony secured the end of the dispute, the lack of transparency means players may never know how much the game changed during development as a result of the case.

Why This Case Matters for the Industry

The Horizon dispute highlights growing tension around inspiration and imitation in modern game development. As production budgets rise and recognizable franchises gain more value, publishers have become increasingly protective of their visual identity. Large companies now monitor emerging titles closely, especially those backed by major investors like Tencent.

This case also shows how quickly community reaction can escalate into legal consequences. Online comparisons and social media discussions played a role in drawing attention to Light of Motiram long before Sony acted. For developers, the outcome serves as a reminder that borrowing familiar ideas carries greater risk when the resemblance becomes too specific.

With the lawsuit settled, Sony can now refocus on its Horizon franchise, while Tencent moves forward with fewer public legal distractions. Even without a courtroom verdict, the case sets a clear example of how aggressively major publishers will defend their flagship properties.