Horizon Zero Dawn Clone Removed from Stores Following Sony and Tencent Settlement
After months of legal battles, Sony and Tencent have reached a resolution regarding *Light of Motiram*, a futuristic survival co-op game that drew immediate comparisons to *Horizon Zero Dawn* upon its reveal. While the specifics of the agreement remain under wraps, *Light of Motiram* seems to have been removed from major platforms like Steam and the Epic Games Store, and its promotional materials, including the reveal trailer, have also been taken down.
*Light of Motiram* was first announced in early 2025, marketed as an action-packed game featuring popular gameplay elements. Tencent’s title included base-building, crafting, co-op gameplay, gliding, and the hunting of massive robotic creatures. The game’s apparent lead character was a red-haired woman in a cybernetic tribal outfit, reminiscent of *Horizon Zero Dawn*’s Aloy. Some early screenshots even seemed to echo iconic scenes from Sony’s acclaimed open-world title.
Complicating matters, Sony had evidence of Tencent pitching a mobile spin-off of *Horizon Zero Dawn* that shared many features later seen in *Light of Motiram*, such as crafting and a multiplayer focus. This led Sony to file a lawsuit, accusing Tencent of creating a “shameless” clone and seeking $150,000 in statutory damages for each *Horizon* title, along with a demand for the destruction of all *Light of Motiram* advertising.
In response, Tencent argued that *Horizon Zero Dawn* was inherently generic and that *Light of Motiram* was still in development. With a planned release in 2027, Tencent claimed the final product could differ significantly from Sony’s assumptions, suggesting that Sony’s concerns were speculative.
A month later, Tencent revised *Light of Motiram*’s marketing on platforms like Steam, altering visuals and replacing screenshots with more generic branding featuring animal mechs. The description also shifted to downplay the game’s focus on “primal” boss fights. Additionally, Tencent agreed to halt promotion of *Light of Motiram* and abandon any plans for public testing.
Now, just a few weeks later, the case is nearing its conclusion. Court documents indicate that both Sony and Tencent have requested the case be dismissed, specifically with prejudice, which would prevent future litigation on the matter.
It’s unclear if any financial settlement was part of the agreement, but both parties will handle their own legal expenses. The future of *Light of Motiram* remains uncertain; it may return under a different name or be reworked to further distinguish itself from *Horizon Zero Dawn*. For the time being, however, Tencent’s ambitious project appears to be on hold.
