Light of Motiram’s Horizon Resemblance Vanishes from Steam: A Deep Dive into the Game’s Transformation

The Genesis of Light of Motiram: A Troubled Debut

The gaming world was abuzz in December 2024. The source? The unveiling of Tencent’s new title, Light of Motiram. The excitement, however, was quickly overshadowed by a chorus of accusations: the game was a blatant clone of Sony’s acclaimed Horizon series. The similarities were undeniable, bordering on uncanny. From the red-haired protagonist’s resemblance to Aloy to the mechanical behemoths roaming the landscape, the game’s design was saturated with familiar elements. This initial presentation sparked a flurry of online discussion, with numerous gaming websites and enthusiasts pointing out the striking parallels. The core gameplay loop also mirrored Horizon’s formula: stealth, ranged combat using a bow and staff, resource gathering, and the exploration of a vibrant, open world teeming with robotic creatures.

Echoes of Horizon: A Catalog of Similarities

The initial trailers and screenshots of Light of Motiram presented a clear homage to Horizon Zero Dawn and Horizon Forbidden West.

The Protagonist’s Design

The heroine of Light of Motiram, while not explicitly named Aloy, sported the same iconic red hair and adventurous spirit. The character’s outfits, weapon choices (primarily a bow), and overall demeanor resonated strongly with Aloy’s persona, leading to widespread comparisons.

The Mechanical Beasts

The game’s primary antagonists, the “mechanimals,” bore an undeniable resemblance to Horizon’s iconic robotic creatures. These mechanical beasts were reminiscent of Thunderjaws and other formidable machines. Their design, behavior, and interactions with the player were strongly inspired by those in the Horizon universe.

World-Building and Environment

The game’s setting also echoed Horizon’s post-apocalyptic world. The red grass, the sprawling landscapes, and the general aesthetic all felt heavily influenced by Horizon’s environments, further reinforcing the perception of imitation.

Gameplay Mechanics

The core mechanics of Light of Motiram, including stealth elements, resource gathering, and the use of a glider, were clearly modeled after Horizon. The core gameplay mechanics – stealth, combat with ranged weapons, crafting – were also deeply inspired by Horizon.

The Lawsuit and the Confrontation: Sony’s Response

In July 2025, the situation escalated. Sony, the creator and publisher of the Horizon series, filed a lawsuit against Tencent. The lawsuit explicitly labeled Light of Motiram as a “slavish clone.” Sony’s legal team argued that Tencent had knowingly copied various elements from the Horizon games, leading to potential consumer confusion and damage to Sony’s intellectual property.

The Legal Arguments: A Detailed Breakdown

Sony’s legal filing highlighted a litany of copied elements, including character designs, creature designs, world-building aesthetics, and gameplay mechanics. The complaint referenced numerous articles from gaming news websites that had previously noted the similarities, establishing a clear basis for the accusations of plagiarism.

Claims of Intellectual Property Infringement

The core of Sony’s lawsuit centered on claims of intellectual property infringement. Sony argued that Tencent had violated copyright and potentially patent laws by appropriating elements of the Horizon series. This included the appropriation of designs, world-building elements, and gameplay mechanics.

Demands for Damages and Injunctive Relief

As part of their lawsuit, Sony sought unspecified damages and an injunction to block the release of Light of Motiram. The request for monetary damages aimed to compensate for losses and deter further infringement. An injunction, if granted, would prevent Tencent from distributing the game, either at launch or in its current form.

Tencent’s Gambit: A Failed Pitch and a Risky Move

Adding to the drama, it was revealed that Tencent had previously approached Sony with the idea of developing a new Horizon game. Sony declined. After learning of Light of Motiram’s striking similarities to Horizon, Sony’s representatives contacted Tencent. Their intent was to resolve the matter before the legal action. Someone within Tencent decided to try another pitch for the Horizon game instead.

The Transformation: Steam Page Revamp and Content Removal

Following the lawsuit, Tencent made a significant move to distance Light of Motiram from its Horizon inspiration. The game’s Steam store page underwent a dramatic overhaul. All the explicit references to the Horizon series were removed. Official videos, screenshots, and descriptions were scrubbed to reduce any potential for confusion.

The Sanitization Process: A Detailed Look

The changes to the Steam store page were comprehensive and far-reaching. The goal was clear: to reshape the game’s presentation and avoid further legal repercussions.

Removal of Similarities in Aesthetics

Gone were the images and videos showcasing the game’s Aloy-esque protagonist, the familiar mechanical beasts, and the red grass. The design changes were very noticeable and thorough.

Rewriting the Game Description

The original game description, which described the world as “overrun by colossal machines” and featured an Aloy-like heroine, was replaced with a more generic, less descriptive text. The updated description highlights themes of survival and courage.

Preservation of a Single, Ambiguous Screenshot

Remarkably, a single screenshot remains on the Steam page, but it does not offer specifics about the game’s similarities to Horizon. This shot features the protagonist in shadow under a glider, which could easily be a generic character. This was probably due to resource and time constraints.

The Unforgiving Land: New Descriptions on Steam

The new description on Steam now focuses on the game’s core mechanics, which have become more generic: “Make smart use of everything around you to stay alive and face off against formidable bosses, every step is fraught with danger and requires courage. Only by overcoming the challenges of survival can you carve out a place for yourself in this unforgiving land.” This vague description allows the game to avoid any specific direct comparisons.

The Focus on Survival and Combat

The new description centers on survival, combat, and overcoming challenges. This change signifies an attempt to reposition the game away from specific comparisons and towards general action-adventure genre tropes.

Emphasis on Player Agency

The revised text stresses player agency. This change indicates a departure from the Horizon-esque narrative.

Implications and Speculation: The Future of Light of Motiram

The extensive changes to Light of Motiram’s Steam page raise several questions about the game’s future and Tencent’s strategy. Will Tencent redesign the game to avoid further legal challenges? Will the gameplay stay largely unchanged?

Potential Scenarios

Several potential scenarios could play out as Tencent moves forward.

Complete Redesign: A Radical Transformation

The most drastic approach would involve a complete redesign of Light of Motiram. This would require Tencent to overhaul the game’s assets, narrative, and core mechanics to create a distinct identity.

Partial Redesign and Refinement

Tencent could opt for a partial redesign, refining the game’s art style, character designs, and environmental details while retaining the core gameplay. This approach would be less time-consuming but would still demand significant changes.

Delay and Revision

Another option is to delay the game’s release and revise the game’s content based on the feedback from Sony. This will prevent the release until the legal matter is handled.

The Long-Term Impact

The situation surrounding Light of Motiram has significant implications for both Tencent and the gaming industry. It serves as a reminder of the importance of respecting intellectual property rights and the consequences of perceived plagiarism.

For Tencent:

The legal battle could prove costly, damaging Tencent’s reputation and potentially resulting in financial penalties. The company will also face the daunting task of revising and repositioning the game.

For the Gaming Industry:

The case will likely serve as a cautionary tale for game developers. It reinforces the need for originality and the potential consequences of perceived plagiarism. This situation could also influence the licensing and development of original IPs within the gaming world.

Conclusion: The Shadow of Horizon

Light of Motiram’s journey is an ongoing story. The initial unveiling, subsequent lawsuit, and the Steam page transformation are all testaments to the far-reaching impact of intellectual property and the importance of original design in the competitive gaming landscape. This issue will be followed by gaming news outlets. The ultimate fate of Light of Motiram, and its ability to compete in the market, will depend on Tencent’s ability to reshape the game and distance itself from the shadow of Horizon.