New Tencent Game Sparks Controversy: Is It a ‘Horizon’ Series Look-Alike?

The gaming world is abuzz with the latest news from the Tencent subsidiary, Polaris Quest. Their newest venture, Light of Motiram, is drawing attention not just for its gameplay but for its uncanny resemblance to Sony’s popular Horizon series. From teasers, it appears this is more than just hearsay, as the game bears a striking similarity to Guerrilla Games’ Horizon Zero Dawn and Forbidden West.

What’s Causing the Stir?

Light of Motiram is introduced as an open-world multiplayer survival game. It invites players to explore a realm “where nature meets machine,” a familiar concept for many gamers. Here’s what has the community talking:

• Visual Parallels: Screenshots and trailers of Light of Motiram resemble the graphical style of Sony’s Horizon games, complete with a post-apocalyptic aesthetic. The presence of robot beasts and a bow-wielding female protagonist feels like déjà vu to fans of the original series.
• Gameplay Features: Tasks such as “building civilizations,” “battling mechanimals,” and “gathering resources” echo the mechanics of not just Horizon but also games like Pocketpair’s Palworld, which similarly faced allegations of mimicking Pokémon.

An Industry-Wide Issue?

This isn’t the first time a new release has been accused of taking inspiration from established titles. The recent lawsuit involving Nintendo and The Pokémon Company against Pocketpair for patent infringement serves as a stark reminder of the legal ramifications of such claims.

Community Reactions

The gaming community holds no punches when it comes to expressing opinions. On platforms like Steam and X (formerly Twitter), users have shared their thoughts:

• “This is Palworld all over again,” commented one player.
• Another added, “This is far more blatant than even Palworld… Horizon 3 – let’s go!”
• A critical user remarked, “Disgusting rip-off.”

The chatter reflects the tensions within the gaming scene, where originality is often scrutinized, and derivative works face public and legal challenges.

Sony’s Potential Response

Given the similarities, the question remains whether Sony will take legal action against Polaris Quest. Sony’s own multiplayer, live service version of Horizon is in the works. It wouldn’t be surprising if Sony perceives Light of Motiram as an undeniable infringement. The stakes are high as both companies navigate the thin line between inspiration and imitation.

Release Information

Despite the controversy, Light of Motiram is slated for a 2025 release on PC and mobile platforms. It promises a free-to-play experience with crossplay capabilities, allowing players to join forces in groups of up to ten per server. Whether this offering allows it to carve its unique identity in a crowded market remains to be seen.

Conclusion

The unfolding saga of Light of Motiram highlights the ongoing debate over originality in game development. As the game gears up for its release, only time will tell if this is a mere tribute or a blatant imitation of the beloved Horizon series.

For more insights and updates, stay tuned!

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Source: https://www.ign.com/articles/new-tencent-game-accused-of-ripping-off-sonys-horizon-series