Home
/
Gaming news
/
Industry trends
/

Sony moves to block tencent's tribal warrior game allegations

Sony Takes Action | Fights Tencent Over Alleged IP Theft in Upcoming Game

By

Sofia Zhang

Oct 17, 2025, 07:52 PM

Edited By

Alex

3 minutes of duration

A visual representation of Sony's legal action against Tencent, showing a character that looks like Aloy standing with a legal document in the background, highlighting the gaming industry conflict over character rights.
popular

In a bold legal move, Sony has filed for a preliminary injunction to stop Tencent's new title, Light of Motiram, over significant claims of intellectual property infringement. The core issue? Tencent's game reportedly features a character looking strikingly similar to Horizon Zero Dawn's protagonist, Aloy, as well as parallels in art and design that some insiders argue are alarmingly close to Sony's acclaimed franchise.

Allegations of IP Theft

Sony's legal filing comes amid growing concerns. According to sources, many elements including the game's main character, tribes, and robotic creatures bear a "95% identical" resemblance to those found in the Horizon series. The situation intensified when allegations surfaced that Tencent sought permission from Sony to use similar aesthetics, only to proceed without consent.

"It's the most blatant IP stealing I've seen in several years," one commenter noted, further emphasizing the extent of the similarities.

Community's Divide

The community reaction has been mixed. While many express outrage over the apparent copying, some suggest that the legal action is merely a tactic by Sony to protect its interests in the lucrative Horizon franchise. As noted by a community member, "Sony and Nintendo need to file these to protect their IP. Otherwise, they risk losing them."

Critics have pointed out that while the legal battle unfolds, the innovation landscape in gaming continues to evolve. "It means absolutely nothing in regard to upcoming game releases or dev cycles," stated one user, reflecting skepticism about the impact of lawsuits in the gaming industry.

Implications for the Franchise

Interestingly, the timing of this filing intersects with the anticipated release of Horizon 3 and a Horizon movie set for 2027. Some speculate that this legal action aims to solidify Sonyโ€™s IP position as it gears up for expansion.

Key Quotes from the Discussion

  • โœฆ "This sets a dangerous precedent for creativity in gaming."

  • โœฆ "Curiously, many are disappointed by the lack of originality in Tencent's work."

  • โœฆ "A lot of pressure on Sony to maintain their brand integrity."

Key Points to Note

  • ๐Ÿ“Œ Sony's Legal Action: Preliminary injunction aimed at blocking Tencent's new game.

  • ๐Ÿค” Community Outlook: Mixed feelings about the lawsuit's assurance of creativity and fairness.

  • ๐Ÿ“‰ Industry Concerns: Some fear legal battles may overshadow creativity in game development.

As this situation develops, the gaming community watches closely, questioning how far Tencent went in borrowing from Horizon lore and what legal ramifications may follow. Sony's attempt to protect its intellectual property not only affects Tencent but could influence future gaming innovations as well.

What Lies Ahead for Sony and Tencent

As this legal drama unfolds, there's a strong chance that we'll see increased scrutiny on game design practices across the industry. Experts estimate about a 70% probability that Sony's actions will push other developers to be more cautious in their creative choices to avoid similar legal entanglements. Additionally, industry analysts suggest that the case may lead to public discussions about the balance between innovation and intellectual property protection. Should Sony prevail, we could witness a tightening of guidelines for what constitutes originality in gaming, effectively shaping future titles for years to come.

A Surprising Resonance from the Past

A lesser-known parallel can be drawn from the world of music in the late '90s. When Vanilla Ice faced scrutiny for borrowing the bass line from Queen and David Bowie's "Under Pressure" for his hit "Ice Ice Baby," it sparked heated debates about artistic integrity and influence. Much like the current claims against Tencent, the controversy led to broader conversations about originality and acknowledgment in the creative space, prompting artists to tread carefully in their compositions. This incident reshaped the music landscape, forcing artists to rethink their sources of inspirationโ€”similar to what this lawsuit might provoke in the gaming community.