The gaming world is buzzing with controversy as Tencent, a leading name in the gaming industry, faces allegations of creating a clone of Sony’s beloved Horizon series with its new game, Light of Motiram. Developed by Polaris Quest, a Shanghai-based subsidiary of Tencent, this open-world multiplayer survival game has drawn attention not just for its gameplay but for its striking resemblance to the aesthetic and mechanics of Guerrilla Games’ Horizon Zero Dawn and Horizon Forbidden West.
Visual Parallels and Gameplay Comparisons
Light of Motiram offers an engaging blend of nature and technology, featuring robotic beasts and a female protagonist who wields a bow and arrow, all set in a post-apocalyptic world that seems uncannily familiar to fans of the Horizon series. The visual and thematic parallels have ignited discussions and debates across gaming forums and social media, with many pointing out the close similarities.
IGN, a prominent gaming news outlet, has reached out to both Tencent and Sony for comments on these allegations but has yet to receive a response. The situation echoes previous controversies in the gaming world, such as the lawsuit between Nintendo, The Pokémon Company, and Pocketpair over the game Palworld, which also faced accusations of intellectual property infringement.
Community Reaction
The gaming community has been vocal in their reactions, with comments ranging from amused recognition of the resemblance to outright indignation. One Steam user humorously noted, “Can I be the first to say it??? Haha I mean it’s obvious, right? I don’t need to say it. This is Palworld all over again.” Meanwhile, others express more critical views, with one Twitter user exclaiming, “Disgusting rip-off.”
A Closer Look at Light of Motiram
Beyond the visual aspects, Light of Motiram encourages players to rebuild civilization and interact with ‘mechanicals’ in a dynamic, hostile environment. The game promises a rich multiplayer experience with the option to play alone or with up to nine friends per server, featuring full crossplay capabilities across PC and mobile platforms. It is set to be released as a free-to-play title in 2025.
Potential Legal and Competitive Implications
With Sony and Guerrilla currently developing a multiplayer, live-service game for the Horizon franchise, the release of Light of Motiram could complicate matters. The gaming community and industry alike are keenly watching to see if Sony will take any legal steps similar to those taken by Nintendo in the Palworld case.
As the release date approaches, the debate over the fine line between inspiration and imitation continues to heat up. Will Light of Motiram prove to be just another case of genre similarities, or is it stepping too closely on the intellectual property of a well-established series? Only time will tell how this controversy unfolds and what impact it will have on the gaming landscape.
