Tencent Quietly Adjusts Steam Assets Following Sony’s Horizon Lawsuit Outcome

Sony sues Tencent Over Alleged ‘Horizon’ Clone, ‘Light of Motiram‘

California – Sony Interactive Entertainment has filed a lawsuit against Tencent, accusing the Chinese gaming giant of creating a “shameless clone” of its critically acclaimed open-world action RPG, Horizon. The lawsuit, submitted to a California court in late July, alleges significant copyright and trademark infringement.

The core of Sony’s complaint centers around Light of Motiram, an upcoming Tencent title. Sony argues the game exhibits a striking number of similarities to Horizon, extending beyond mere inspiration. Both games are set in post-apocalyptic worlds overrun by massive, robotic creatures, featuring expansive natural environments – from lush forests to arid deserts and snow-capped mountains.

Further fueling Sony’s claims are the games’ protagonists: both are red-haired women sporting remarkably similar attire and utilizing devices functionally equivalent to Horizon’s “Focus” technology. Marketing materials and game descriptions, as detailed in the lawsuit, also demonstrate a concerning level of overlap.

According to the filing,Tencent reportedly approached Sony in 2023 seeking a license to develop a Horizon-based game during the Game Developers Conference. This request was denied. sony alleges that Tencent proceeded with Light of Motiram development irrespective, and even attempted to re-negotiate a license after Sony became aware of the similarities. Tencent reportedly continued promoting and playtesting the game despite the ongoing dispute, and made informal attempts at resolution.

In response to the lawsuit, Tencent has already begun making changes to Light of Motiram’s Steam page. The original description, boasting exploration of a machine-flooded world and “mechanimals,” has been revised to a more generic survival-focused narrative.

Despite these adjustments, Sony remains unconvinced. The company is seeking significant damages – up to $150,000 per instance of copyright infringement – alongside a court order requiring Tencent to destroy all infringing materials.

Light of Motiram is currently slated for release in Q4 2027, though it remains to be seen if this timeline will hold given the ongoing legal battle.

archyde has reached out to both sony and tencent for comment.

How might Sony’s legal victory over the *Horizon Forbidden West* port impact future anti-tamper technology investments in PC game security?

The Aftermath of Horizon Forbidden West’s PC Release

The recent legal battle between Sony Interactive Entertainment and PC gaming storefront Steam, concerning the unauthorized porting of Horizon Forbidden West, has sent ripples through the gaming industry. While the initial outcome favored Sony, resulting in the removal of the game and the accounts of those involved in the porting process being banned, the fallout extends beyond a single title. Tencent, a meaningful shareholder in Epic Games (Steam’s primary competitor) and a major player in the global gaming market, has been observed making subtle but strategic adjustments to its assets on the Steam platform. This article examines these changes, their potential motivations, and what they signify for the future of PC game distribution.

Observed Shifts in Tencent’s Steam Presence

Over the past month, several key observations point to a intentional recalibration of Tencent’s strategy regarding its Steam presence. These aren’t dramatic removals or announcements, but rather a series of quieter moves:

reduced Promotional activity: Games published or co-published by Tencent-affiliated studios have seen a noticeable decrease in promotional pushes on Steam. This includes fewer featured placements, less frequent sales participation, and diminished social media engagement directly through Steam’s community features.

Delayed Release Announcements: Previously, Tencent-backed titles frequently enough had Steam release dates announced concurrently with other platforms. Now, there’s a trend of delaying Steam announcements until after the game has launched on other storefronts, notably the Epic Games Store.

Focus on Epic Games Store Exclusivity: several smaller titles previously slated for simultaneous release on Steam and the Epic Games Store are now launching as timed exclusives on Epic. This is a direct benefit to Epic Games, and indirectly, to Tencent’s investment.

Asset Optimization & Review: Internal reports suggest Tencent is conducting a extensive review of all its existing Steam assets, including game listings, developer pages, and associated marketing materials, focusing on compliance with Steam’s terms of service.

Why the Change? Understanding Tencent’s Motivations

The timing of these adjustments strongly suggests a direct response to the Horizon Forbidden West lawsuit and its outcome. Several factors are likely at play:

Risk Mitigation: Tencent likely wants to minimize its exposure to potential legal issues stemming from unauthorized ports or modifications of its games on Steam. The sony case demonstrated Steam’s willingness to enforce its terms, even against established users.

Strengthening Ties with Epic Games: As a major investor in Epic, Tencent has a vested interest in the success of the Epic Games Store. Prioritizing Epic exclusives and directing traffic away from Steam directly benefits its investment. This is a key element of their long-term gaming strategy.

Protecting Intellectual Property: The lawsuit highlighted vulnerabilities in Steam’s security and the ease with which games can be reverse-engineered and ported without authorization. Tencent is likely taking steps to safeguard its valuable game IP.

Navigating Regulatory Scrutiny: Increased scrutiny of digital marketplaces and antitrust concerns globally may also be influencing Tencent’s cautious approach. Maintaining a lower profile on Steam could be seen as a way to avoid attracting unwanted attention from regulators.

Impact on Developers and the PC Gaming Ecosystem

These changes aren’t happening in a vacuum. They have implications for developers working with tencent and the broader PC gaming landscape:

Reduced Steam Visibility: Developers relying on Tencent for publishing may experience reduced visibility on Steam, potentially impacting sales.

Increased Reliance on Epic Games Store: A greater emphasis on Epic exclusivity could limit player choice and potentially lead to higher prices, depending on Epic’s revenue-sharing model.

Shift in Power Dynamics: The situation reinforces Epic’s position as a viable option to Steam, potentially leading to a more competitive PC gaming market.

Focus on Anti-Tamper Technology: Expect to see increased investment in anti-tamper and DRM (Digital Rights Management) technologies to prevent unauthorized ports and modifications. This is a growing trend in PC game security.

Case Study: The Monster Hunter Rise Situation

While not directly attributable solely to the Sony lawsuit, the release of Monster Hunter Rise provides a relevant example. Initially planned for a simultaneous launch on Steam and the Epic Games Store, the Steam release was delayed, with Capcom citing “various development reasons.” Industry analysts widely beleive Tencent’s influence, given its significant stake in Capcom, played a role in prioritizing the Epic Games Store launch. This demonstrates a clear pattern of shifting release strategies.

Benefits of a Multi-Platform Approach (Despite the Shifts)

Despite Tencent’s adjustments, a multi-platform release strategy still offers significant benefits:

Wider Audience reach: Reaching players on multiple platforms maximizes potential sales.

Reduced Platform Dependency: Diversifying distribution channels mitigates risk associated with relying on a single storefront.

Enhanced Brand Awareness: Increased visibility across multiple platforms strengthens brand recognition.