Tencent has massively overhauled Light of Motiram's public identity. The survival game's Steam page is now stripped of many elements that previously resembled Horizon, while the release schedule jumps far into the fourth quarter of 2027. These changes come following Sony's lawsuit accusing Light of Motiram of being a "slavish clone" of Horizon Zero Dawn.
Light of Motiram was first introduced in late 2024. The visuals and premise immediately caught attention due to similarities with Horizon: a post-catastrophic world with giant machines and primitive armed hunters. It took almost a year for Sony sues Tencent, the parent studio of Polaris Quest, alleging too close a resemblance to Horizon's IP. For a giant like Tencent, a legal move like this is definitely no small matter.
Steam page and official channel overhaul
PC Gamer noted, Light of Motiram's Steam page now features a more generic description as a survival game. Explicit references to a "machine-ruled world", the term "mechanimals", as well as phrases like "mechanical wilderness" are removed. The new description emphasizes resource use, danger at every step, and the challenge of survival, without the thematic markers previously reminiscent of Horizon.
It's not just the text. The announcement trailer that used to be present on the Steam page is now pulled, as are a number of videos on the official Light of Motiram YouTube channel. Icons and key art were replaced. Visual material featuring machine dinosaur hunts shifted to creatively safer imagery of fantasy farming life. According to PC Gamer, even the update history on Steam was thoroughly cleaned up.
Delayed release schedule
One crucial change is the release schedule. From a target end of 2025, Light of Motiram is now scheduled to launch in Q4 2027. A delay of more than two years usually signifies extensive reworking. This could include revising art direction, enemy design, gameplay loops, and repositioning marketing messages. Given the context of the lawsuit, this move is seen as an attempt to mitigate risk, while ensuring the final product is distinct enough to stand on its own.
Implications for strategy and market perception
Losing the "Horizon lookalike" means losing a short-term attention grabber, but opens up opportunities to build a new, more sustainable identity. This overhaul is costly and time-consuming, but can reduce potential legal obstacles, including the risk of injunctions or damages. Reputationally, Tencent is signaling a reluctance to confront IP owners directly, a message that is generally welcomed by industry players and players who care about originality.
The public awaits official statements from Tencent and Sony regarding these legal proceedings. Signs of the new creative direction will be seen from the next trailer, promotional materials, and SteamDB updates. It is possible that there will be a rebranding of terms or world elements. PC Gamer said it has reached out to Tencent for further comment. Until that happens, the shift to Q4 2027 is the clearest indicator that Light of Motiram is changing course, in favor of a more original and dispute-free survival experience.
