In response to Sony's recent lawsuit against Tencent over the alleged creation of a "slavish" copy of Horizon Zero Dawn, the game's Steam page has been revised, removing robot mastodons, Aloy replicas, and other similar content.
Light of Motiram: A Survival Game Accused of Copyright Infringement
The survival game Light of Motiram, developed by Tencent subsidiary Polaris Quest, has been embroiled in a legal battle with Sony over allegations of copyright and trademark infringement. The game, which was accused of being a "slavish clone" of Sony's Horizon series, has drawn criticism for its aesthetic similarities to Horizon Zero Dawn.
The controversy surrounding Light of Motiram began long before the lawsuit was filed, with critics pointing out the game's striking resemblance to Horizon. The game's original Steam store page featured screenshots of robot mastodons, descriptions of colossal machines, and an anime Aloy-like character. This was reminiscent of the criticisms faced by Genshin Impact, another game that was accused of alluding to Breath of the Wild.
However, in response to the lawsuit filed in California federal court in mid-2025, Tencent made several changes to Light of Motiram’s Steam store page. New screenshots, revised game art, and an updated game description were implemented to reduce the similarities to Horizon. The original description explicitly referenced mechanical beasts and tribal survival, very similar to Horizon’s premise, while the new description is more generic and survival-focused without direct nods to the Horizon universe.
Despite these changes, the lawsuit and accusations remain significant, with Sony seeking monetary damages and an injunction to protect its intellectual property rights. The potential for Light of Motiram to become one of the best survival games on the market is still suggested, as it offers co-op gameplay, setting it apart from the single-player, open-world gameplay of the Horizon series.
Interested players can subscribe to the NewsletterWeekly for regular updates, digests, and community stories on Light of Motiram and other games. An archived version of the Light of Motiram's Steam page is also available for comparison. The Game Post has noted the removal of Horizon-like elements from the Light of Motiram's Steam page, but the question remains whether the game's identity will develop independently, like Genshin Impact's did, or continue to face legal challenges.
[1] The Verge
[2] Kotaku
[3] Polygon
[4] Ars Technica
[5] The Game Post
- The ongoing legal battle between Tencent and Sony over the survival game Light of Motiram is generating news on tech-focused websites like The Verge, Kotaku, Polygon, and Ars Technica.
- Following the controversy, gamers are keeping a close eye on deals and discounts on PlayStation consoles as they await the release of Sony's next big game, possibly influenced by the Light of Motiram debacle.
- On social-media platforms, discussions about Light of Motiram, Sony's Horizon series, and copyright infringement have been trending among gaming communities worldwide.
- In response to the lawsuit, numerous action games, such as a new title from Nintendo, have reduced their prices to attract players looking for alternatives to Light of Motiram.
- Gadget enthusiasts are also interested in the outcome of the Light of Motiram case, as it involves technology giants like Sony and Tencent, and could set a precedent for future tech-related disputes.
- On the other hand, booklovers are busy engrossed in the latest releases from their favorite authors in the realm of pop-culture, sci-fi, and fantasy, while keeping an eye on the legal drama unfolding in the gaming world.
- Light of Motiram's success or failure may also impact the sports-betting industry, as the game's popularity could influence the odds for eSports events featuring survival games.
- Meanwhile, general-news channels have been covering crime and justice stories, and some of these include the potential penalties Tencent might face if found guilty of copyright infringement.
- Cinephiles might find the Light of Motiram saga an interesting plot for a movie or TV show in the Movies-and-TV category, exploring the world of video games, technology, and legal battles.
- In the midst of this fast-paced entertainment industry, pop-culture aficionados continue to enjoy their favorite shows, movies, games, and online content, unfazed but intrigued by the ongoing legal battle between two tech giants over a survival game that seems to have blurred the lines of inspiration and copyright infringement.
