Tencent Responds to Sony’s Lawsuit Accusing It of Copying Horizon

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Titled Response from Tencent on Sony’s Allegations of Plagiarism in Light of Motiram vs Horizon Zero Dawn

Sony is suing Tencent and ten other unnamed entities, alleging that the game Light of Motiram copies Sony’s Horizon Zero Dawn. Tencent, however, argues that this legal action is not about piracy or plagiarism but rather an attempt to claim exclusive rights over a popular niche in gaming culture. Tencent disputes Sony’s assertion that Horizon Zero Dawn is entirely original. It highlights that Guerrilla Games Art Director Jan-Bart Van Beek reportedly admitted the game’s core concept drew inspiration from Ninja Theory’s Enslaved. Tencent suggests that Sony proceeded with Horizon Zero Dawn despite knowing about this inspiration and the potential issues it might cause. According to Tencent, Sony’s complaint serves as evidence of its intent to present common genre elements as exclusive. Tencent further argues that Sony’s own Horizon series utilizes established gaming concepts, citing numerous titles released both before and after Horizon, such as Enslaved, Breath of the Wild, Far Cry Primal, Far Cry New Dawn, Outer Wilds, and Biomutant. Tencent contends this undermines Sony’s attempt to monopolize these genre elements and suggests Sony aims to exert undue control over fundamental game design principles.

Tencent explicitly denies Sony’s claim that Light of Motiram developers copied Horizon. During a prototype presentation at GDC in March 2024, Tencent asserts that no representatives from Tencent Holdings were present, nor were any terms agreed upon or any information shared that could constitute copying. Even if discussions between Tencent and Sony did occur, Sony has not demonstrated any resulting harm. Tencent maintains that neither the discussions at the GDC prototype presentation nor Sony’s Intellectual Property Licensing Request for Horizon constitutes copyright or trademark infringement. Furthermore, Tencent asserts that Sony has sued the incorrect parties and seeks to dismiss the case. While Sony’s lawsuit names Tencent America, Next US Beta, and Tencent Holdings as defendants, Tencent clarifies that Light of Motiram is being developed by Polaris QuestAurora Studios, operating under Tencent Tech Shanghai. The game is also associated with Next Beta Pte Ltd, linked to Tencent Games and Level Infinite. According to Tencent, none of the directly accused entities are involved in the development or sale of Light of Motiram, making it impossible for them to infringe on Sony’s Horizon intellectual property.

Tencent argues that Sony’s accusations are baseless. Its vague claims against Tencent or the defendants generally fail to specifically implicate Tencent America, Next US Beta, or Tencent Holdings in any alleged infringement. Finally, Tencent notes that Light of Motiram is not slated for release until 2027, suggesting Sony’s lawsuit is based on claims of pre-launch infringement.

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