The legal dispute between Sony and Horizon highlights gaming industry's creative predicament
In the dynamic world of video games, a concerning trend has emerged: creative stagnation. This phenomenon, characterised by repetitive use of safe, profit-driven formulas, is particularly prevalent in AAA titles and Game-as-a-Service (GaaS) models.
The success of franchises like Horizon Zero Dawn and Horizon Forbidden West, with over 32 million copies sold worldwide, has undoubtedly set a standard. However, it has also inspired similarities in other games, with Horizon becoming a target for cloning.
Sony is currently involved in a lawsuit against Tencent's Polaris Quest studio over the game Light of Motiram, which appears to have heavily borrowed from the Horizon franchise. The game, developed by Tencent, features an open-world setting, red-haired heroine, mechanical animals, and a tribal-futuristic aesthetic reminiscent of Horizon.
This is not an isolated incident. The Light of Motiram case mirrors the Palworld AI plagiarism brouhaha, another instance of creative stagnation in the industry.
Tencent, the biggest publisher in gaming by revenue, understands the industry's creative drought and has cloned successful ideas to avoid innovation. This approach is not unique to Tencent; players, too, are partially responsible for the current state of the industry, as they often prefer familiar sequels and reward safe choices.
However, the Horizon clone issue is merely a symptom of a larger problem: creative stagnation. Financial pressures, GaaS focus, legal complexities, and internal creative challenges have led to a lack of genuine risk and fresh voices in the industry.
Indie games like Blue Prince and Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 are exceptions, adopting traditional upfront-cost models with finite, story-driven experiences, providing more room for creative risk and differentiation.
The growth in the games industry has slowed to a modest 2.1%, despite the large market size. To rekindle innovation, potential solutions include supporting AA and indie games, reframing production schedules, integrating cross-disciplinary feedback loops, encouraging studios and publishers to prioritize innovation, and addressing psychological barriers among developers.
As the global games market is estimated to be around $188 billion in 2024, it is crucial to address creative stagnation to ensure the industry's continued growth and success. The real 'game over' we should be worried about is not just the Horizon clone issue, but the creative stagnation in the games industry as a whole.
- In the design of the game's poster, the use of a red-haired heroine and mechanical animals could resemble the Horizon franchise's logo and aesthetic.
- The UI of Light of Motiram, with its tribal-futuristic layout, might be accused of borrowing from Horizon's user interface design.
- The art in the open-world setting of Light of Motiram, featuring 3D elements and natural landscapes, could be compared to the artwork seen in Horizon Zero Dawn and Horizon Forbidden West.
- The artist behind the animation of the mechanical animals in Light of Motiram might find inspiration from the artistry displayed in Horizon's machine designs.
- The success of Horizon has inspired not just clones, but also imitations in other aspects of the gaming world, including social-media marketing and sports-betting promotions.
- In the smartphone realm, tech companies might be tempted to create gadgets with Horizon-inspired designs or features, such as pilotable drones or robot companions.
- To combat creative stagnation in the entertainment industry, studios and publishers could invest more in creative talent, fostering the growth of a diverse array of innovative UX and UI design artists.
- Despite the slowdown in the growth of the games industry, the potential for expansion remains vast if the issue of creative stagnation can be addressed effectively, providing opportunities for innovative new apps and technologies.
- Fans of Horizon could express their desire for fresh ideas and originality, not just through purchasing games but also by supporting video game artists and designers who take creative risks.
