The highly anticipated Light of Motiram, Tencent Games’ new open-world title, may take much longer than expected to finally see the light of day. According to new developments in the lawsuit filed by Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE), the game is now officially barred from being released before the fourth quarter of 2027, effectively pushing it to 2028.
The court decision, issued on December 2, 2025, comes amid the dispute initiated by Sony in July of this year, when the company accused Tencent of replicating too many elements from the Horizon franchise, especially regarding aesthetics, mechanical creatures, and the game’s overall world concepts.
Promotions, trailers, and new tests are banned until the case is resolved
In addition to blocking an early release, the provisional agreement also halts any form of promotion for the game. This means Tencent is prohibited from:
- Releasing new trailers;
- Conducting public or closed tests;
- Showcasing gameplay;
- Launching promotional campaigns.
In practice, Light of Motiram is completely frozen until the legal dispute moves forward. The next hearing is scheduled for January 29, 2026.
Similarities to Horizon raised red flags
Comparisons between Light of Motiram and the Horizon series emerged as soon as the game was revealed in November 2024. The cover art, setting, creatures, and even mechanics shown in early tests clearly resembled the games starring Aloy, raising alarms within the community and among industry experts.
Despite this, many players found the concept promising. The title blends survival and exploration in an open world set in 2068, featuring creatures known as Mechanimals, cooperative modes, and a strong influence from Indian mythology — with references such as Motiram, Hanuman, and Agni.
Players only tested the game at a closed event in China
So far, the only opportunity to experience Light of Motiram was during a closed test held in China. With the legal freeze in place, new tests are unlikely to happen anytime soon.
Even under the most optimistic scenario, the game could only be released after the end of 2027 — and considering the time required for certification, marketing, and distribution, analysts point to 2028 as the most likely year for a global launch.
The future remains uncertain, but if Tencent and Sony reach an agreement, the timeline could change. For now, however, the project remains officially shelved.
Source: Gamingonphone.biz
