Sony’s legal battle against Tencent’s Horizon ‘clone’ is already over

Source: The Verge

Overview

In July, Sony sued Tencent to prevent the release of Light of Motiram, a game Sony alleged was a “slavish clone” of its popular Horizon series. The legal battle is now over: the two companies have reached a “confidential settlement,” and the case has been dismissed with prejudice, according to court documents.

The settlement means both parties have agreed to resolve the dispute out of court, and the lawsuit will not be revived. Details of the agreement have not been disclosed, and neither Sony nor Tencent has commented publicly on the terms.

Background

• Sony’s claim: Light of Motiram copied core elements of the Horizon franchise, including its open‑world design, dinosaur‑riding mechanics, and visual style.
• Tencent’s defense: The game was an original work, and any similarities were generic to the genre.

Legal outcome

• The case was dismissed with prejudice, meaning it cannot be refiled.
• Both parties signed a confidential settlement, the specifics of which remain private.

What’s next for the games?

• Horizon series: Sony continues to develop new entries and expansions for its flagship franchise.
• Light of Motiram: The future of the game remains uncertain; the settlement may allow Tencent to release it, but no official announcement has been made.

The resolution highlights the growing tension between major publishers and Chinese developers over intellectual‑property concerns in the rapidly expanding gaming market.