Sony and Tencent Settle Lawsuit Over 'Horizon' Clone

• Key Takeaways:

• Sony and Tencent reached a confidential settlement over Tencent’s Light of Motiram, a game Sony called a “slavish clone” of Horizon Zero Dawn.
• The lawsuit, filed in July 2025, was dismissed after the companies agreed to a confidential resolution.
• Light of Motiram has been removed from Steam and Epic Games Store; Tencent previously paused promotion and public testing.

What happened

Sony sued Tencent in July 2025 accusing the publisher’s Light of Motiram of copying key elements of Horizon Zero Dawn and related franchise entries including Horizon Forbidden West and Lego Horizon Adventures. Sony’s complaint said the similarities extended to setting, character appearance and even marketing materials, calling the game a “slavish clone.”

Court filing and disappearance from stores

Court documents reviewed by The Verge show the parties filed a stipulation for dismissal after reaching a confidential settlement. The case was subsequently dismissed. Following the settlement Light of Motiram was removed from Steam and the Epic Games Store, and Tencent had already agreed earlier in December to suspend promotion and public testing of the title.

Statement from the companies

A Tencent spokesperson told The Verge: “SIE and Tencent are pleased to have reached a confidential resolution and will have no further public comment on this matter.” Sony has not issued an additional public statement beyond the court filing and previous litigation disclosures.

What Sony alleged

In its original complaint, Sony outlined how Light of Motiram allegedly mirrored the Horizon franchise’s post-apocalyptic world where humans coexist with machines, as well as specific visual and marketing similarities. Sony cited other franchise entries to illustrate the pattern of copying beyond a single title.

Implications and next steps

Because the settlement is confidential, the specifics of any remedy — monetary, licensing, or changes to the game — are not public. The dismissal ends the public legal dispute but not necessarily private obligations set by the settlement. The case highlights growing scrutiny of how major IP holders like Sony protect franchise assets, and how global publishers such as Tencent may be held to account when new releases closely resemble established properties.

This resolution is final in court records; both companies said they will not comment further, leaving industry watchers to infer the outcome from the removal of Light of Motiram from storefronts.