Sony Fires Back at Tencent, Accuses It of “Shell Game” in Ongoing Horizon Clone Lawsuit

Sony has pushed back hard against Tencent in U.S. court, calling the Chinese tech giant’s defense “nonsense” and accusing it of hiding behind shell companies to dodge responsibility over Light of Motiram, a mobile game Sony says blatantly copies Horizon Zero Dawn and Horizon Forbidden West.

Light of Motiram, a mobile game, Sony says blatantly copies Horizon Zero Dawn and Horizon Forbidden West.

What’s the Dispute Between Sony and Tencent About?

The dispute dates back to July 2025, when Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE) sued Tencent, alleging that Light of Motiram was a “slavish clone” of its Horizon franchise. According to Sony’s initial complaint, the upcoming mobile title mimics Horizon’s world design, mechanical creatures, character design, and even its soundtrack.

Tencent responded in September with a motion to dismiss, arguing that Sony’s claims were premature. The company insisted that Light of Motiram had not yet launched, meaning no infringement could have occurred. Tencent further claimed that Sony was attempting to "monopolize common game design tropes," the kind used in games like The Legend of Zelda or Far Cry, and that the lawsuit targeted the wrong corporate entities.

The Chinese conglomerate said Light of Motiram is being developed by Polaris Quest and Aurora Studios, both subsidiaries under Tencent Technology in Shanghai, and not by its U.S. arms named in the suit.

Sony Calls Tencent’s Defense “Nonsense”

In a newly filed 35-page opposition (via The Game Post), Sony urged the court to reject Tencent’s dismissal request, describing the company’s defense as “nonsense.” Sony accuses Tencent of orchestrating “a shell game” with its subsidiaries, such as Aurora Studios, Level Infinite, and Proxima Beta, to hide the real decision-makers behind Light of Motiram.

Sony’s filing disputes Tencent’s claim that the case is “unripe” because the game’s release was delayed. Tencent recently updated Light of Motiram’s Steam page, pushing its release window to Q4 2027 and replacing art that closely resembled Horizon with more generic survival imagery. But Sony argues that the alleged harm has already occurred, as the game has been promoted extensively.

“The damage is done — and it continues,” Sony wrote, emphasizing that the game’s promotional materials, screenshots, and trailers remain visible worldwide across platforms like Steam, Epic Games Store, YouTube, and Discord.

Sony Says Tencent’s “Shell Game” Is About Dodging Accountability

According to Sony, Tencent Holdings is the true operator behind the game. The filing points out that Tencent Holdings owns the U.S. trademark for Light of Motiram, controls the official website, and uses the “Tencent Games” brand for global marketing.

“After SIE was forced to sue, Tencent attempted to avoid liability by playing a shell game with its brands and entities,” the document reads. “Tencent tried to shield defendants that it owns and controls from service of process and now seeks to escape jurisdiction over the parent entity, Tencent Holdings.”

Sony also cites Tencent’s own investor documents, which list global gaming revenue under Tencent Holdings without distinguishing subsidiaries. The filing mentions Ma Xiaoyi, a senior Tencent executive responsible for international publishing, as evidence that the parent company directly oversees its gaming operations.

The Trademark Battle Over Aloy’s Image

Sony’s argument also extends beyond copyright. The company says Aloy, the Horizon protagonist, has become a recognizable brand symbol for PlayStation. Her appearance has featured prominently in crossovers, merchandise, and promotional art, effectively serving as a trademark.

Sony alleges that Tencent used an Aloy lookalike “as a brand identifier” across Steam banners, website mastheads, and trailer stills, misleading fans into thinking the two properties were related.

“The effort to trade off Aloy’s goodwill and reputation is so egregious,” Sony claims, citing numerous online comments that compared the two characters’ visual designs in near-identical terms.

What Happens Next?

Sony is asking the court to deny Tencent’s motion to dismiss entirely. If the judge finds any ambiguity in the filing, Sony requests permission to amend the complaint and proceed to discovery, a stage that could include depositions, document sharing, and an in-depth look at Tencent’s internal communications.