Tencent’s Light of Motiram – Innovation or Imitation?

The line between inspiration and imitation in the gaming industry has again sparked debate, this time involving Tencent’s title, Light of Motiram, and Sony’s Horizon Zero Dawn. The controversy highlights the ongoing tension in intellectual property (IP) law within gaming, echoing past cases like Palworld vs. Pokémon. Here, we explore these issues, their legal implications, and what they mean for the future of game development.

The Allegations Against Light of Motiram

Tencent’s Light of Motiram, bears striking visual and thematic similarities to Sony’s Horizon series. Both games feature post-apocalyptic settings where players navigate lush environments populated by mechanical animals. Critics have pointed out uncanny resemblances, from the aesthetic of mechanised creatures to thematic overlaps like “nature meets machine”​. For a side by side comparison, see here .

While Light of Motiram distinguishes itself by introducing survival mechanics, such as team-based gameplay and base-building, it doesn’t escape comparisons. This raises the question: at what point does inspiration become actionable under IP law?

Fans have drawn parallels between this situation and the ongoing legal battle between Nintendo and Pocketpair over Palworld, suggesting Sony might consider legal action for intellectual property infringement. While Light of Motiram incorporates some original features, the resemblance in core design has led many to accuse Tencent of unoriginality and blatant copying. Neither Sony nor Tencent has officially commented on these accusations or hinted at legal steps so far.

A Familiar Pattern: Palworld vs. Pokémon

Tencent’s predicament mirrors the legal battle between Nintendo and the creators of Palworld. The latter faced allegations of patent infringement (among other IP infringements). Their game, which shares visual and mechanical similarities with Pokémon, has been called “Pokémon with guns” due to its concept of capturing and using creatures in combat and other tasks.

Nintendo and The Pokémon Company filed a lawsuit in September 2024 in Japan, claiming that Palworld infringes on patents related to mechanics like capturing creatures using a throwable object, visual indicators for capture success rates, and riding creatures in an open world. These patents stem from a broader set filed in 2021, before Palworld’s official release

There’s growing speculation about potential legal issues between Sony and Tencent. Given Sony’s history of protecting its intellectual property and the attention this controversy is garnering, a legal dispute similar to the Nintendo-Pocketpair case could emerge, especially if Light of Motiram proves successful upon release. For now, the gaming community is watching closely to see if Sony takes action or if Tencent modifies the game to address the criticisms.

Concluding Remarks

Legal disputes like these, underscore the challenges of fostering creativity while protecting original work. Developers tread a fine line when drawing inspiration from popular titles. While derivative works can expand genre boundaries, they risk infringing on protected IP, leading to costly litigation.

Whether or not Sony files a lawsuit (most probably will do so), the discourse surrounding this case will likely influence stakeholders’ understanding of the balance between innovation and IP protection—a critical issue as the esports and gaming industries continue to grow.

Light of Motiram – Steam