Tencent Games and Polaris Quest’s newly announced open-world MMO, Light of Motiram, has ignited a firestorm of controversy online. The game’s striking resemblance to Sony Interactive Entertainment and Guerrilla Games’ acclaimed Horizon series has sparked accusations of plagiarism and drawn comparisons to the recent Palworld and Pokémon legal battle. While no legal action has been taken yet, the brewing controversy is undoubtedly set to escalate in the coming weeks.
Light of Motiram is a cross-platform MMO where players construct shelters, train and customize over 100 mechanical creatures (Mechanimals), and deploy them in battles against powerful bosses. While the gameplay appears distinct from the action-adventure Horizon series, the similarities in setting and aesthetic have raised eyebrows. This situation echoes the recent Palworld controversy, where the game faced accusations of copying elements from the Pokémon franchise.
According to the game’s Epic Games Store page, Light of Motiram unfolds “in a world overrun by colossal machines,” where players “explore the vast open world, build your base of operations, advance technology, train Mechanimals, and take on formidable bosses. Starting from the primitive age, forge a new path of development.” This premise resonates strongly with the Horizon series, which depicts a post-apocalyptic future where colossal machines dominate Earth, and humanity survives in scattered tribes. Observers have also noted the uncanny resemblance between the game’s title card and Horizon’s, featuring a red-haired female protagonist prominently positioned on the left. One X (formerly Twitter) user drew a parallel to the Palworld/Pokémon situation, highlighting the potential legal ramifications.
Horizon’s Recent Releases and Future Prospects
The Horizon franchise saw two releases this year: Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered for PlayStation 5 and Windows, and LEGO Horizon Adventures for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, and Windows. LEGO Horizon Adventures, pictured above, reimagines the original game’s story within the LEGO universe. Unfortunately, both releases received lukewarm reception, with criticisms focusing on lackluster gameplay and limited improvements. Despite this, anticipation remains high for the third installment in the main series. Rumors of a Horizon MMO have circulated online, fueled by Guerrilla Games’ recent job posting for a Release QA Intern. With Light of Motiram slated for release on PlayStation 5 and PC, the coming weeks could prove pivotal if these rumors hold true.
Where do you stand on the Light of Motiram debate? Is it merely inspired by Horizon, or a blatant rip-off? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
