Sony Interactive Entertainment sues Tencent Holdings for allegedly ripping off 'Horizon' video games; Tencent originally pitched to license the IP

It's not like this will stop Tencent devs (the ones doing it) targeting the PS5 or that there will be a general company resentment against SIE. Business does not work like that.
We know you love to simp over Chinese GAAS, but don't be so fucking ridiculous.


It should be easy to understand. This game will be in direct competition to Horizon MMO. It doesn't impact the main line Horizon games. I understand Sony being upset about this, though I dont agree with sorting this out in the courtoom, for it opens a door that no sane person should want open.

What's next? From Software suing half the industry?
 
Tencent was courteous enough to work with Sony, who refused, I don't see how that has any bearing on the resulting game & lawsuit. Obviously the game would be and look very different if they got the licence. Like if Sega had asked Ghibli to make a Nausicaa licence game and then we never got the Panzer Dragoon series because they'd get sued over it despite it being its own thing. Or Moebius having sued Ghibli for Nausicaa (and then Sega for Panzer Dragoon too rather than even collaborating for the cover art for a game made without licencing/paying him) and other films especially since Miyazaki had acknowledged him as a major inspiration and we never got those either. Or like if Koei had asked Capcom to work on some Monster Hunter Warriors game and Capcom refused Koei could have never went ahead with making Wild Hearts or Toukiden. That's nonsense.
Of course its grounds to sue!

The simple way to look at it is this: If a product looks so similar to a pre-existing work that it could convincingly be argued that its likely be mistaken in the market to be associated with that IP, then its actionable as its exploiting the original IP holders rights to unjustly enrich themselves.

The killer here is that its not just a format being copied, that's defensible as it hard to copyright specific mechanics unless they are patented inventions, its the fact that it borrows every key distinctive element of the Horizon IP. From red-headed female lead, through the logo font, and colour palette to the premise of fighting robot dinosuars its stealing every signature element of it as property *irrespective of medium*.

As Sony is in the transmedia business this isn't simply a matter of protecting a game IP, its a major franchisable property that could be argued is worth literally BILLIONS to Sony. And with Tencent being such a rich target for extracting a settlement from, there's zero chance that Sony aren't going to screw them to the fucking floor for trying this on.

Tencent will have to settle this quietly, because if they take this to court the numbers could be absolutely huge.
Yikes, hair color and gender, of so many they could have chosen, yikes, what a rip off, lol. Guess they're safe if they just change the hair color and gender, how silly of Sony, paying lawyers, starting procedures for something they can easily switch up in like 5 minutes and all the effort will be wasted...

Who's the "lead" according to you anyway as folks will make their own character & play with others, do you even know what you're defending/attacking here, actually watched/learned anything about the game, or just going off Sony's claims about it being exactly like their game, when it's just not?
nial said:
Good reminder that Sony Interactive Entertainment Inc. is the author of the 2009 PlayStation 3 video game software, Demon's Souls.
nial said:
BTW, even in that case, it's Sony itself that is the author of Demon's Souls, lmao.
You need to say it a third time for it to be true, don't quit! I guess you do think they should sue over it as instead of explaining how this is different, you just point out they were involved with Souls (and give them full credit, author lol) like that was anyone's point? Or just deflecting with nonsense?
 
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What's next? From Software suing half the industry?
Nyl4MWV.gif
 
China has a largest gaming populace in the world...why would Tencent care? They don't need USD/EU monies to make this game successful...just release it on steam like Wu Kong and rake in a ton of cash. Sony cannot stop Tencent from releasing this product in their territory. If they want to release it state side, sure they will have issues. If they just stick to China they will be fine...hell anyone that wants it over here from FOMO will snag it anyway they can regardless of Sony's actions (unless they want it on PS5 of course).
 
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It should be easy to understand. This game will be in direct competition to Horizon MMO. It doesn't impact the main line Horizon games. I understand Sony being upset about this, though I dont agree with sorting this out in the courtoom, for it opens a door that no sane person should want open.

What's next? From Software suing half the industry?
Speculating over inner goals is the most pointless thing. It could be, could not, what exactly does that add to the conversation?
Fact is, this is incredibly blatant that Sony actually has a strong case over there; this was Tencent pitching the Horizon IP license, ffs. I don't know what's the thought process of you and other people bringing up 'lol soulslikes', but it's nowhere near the same situation.
BTW, even in that case, it's Sony itself that is the author of Demon's Souls, lmao.
 
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Not getting into the absurdity of software patents, which shouldn't even exist in the first place, the point is I guarantee there will be people saying Sony is in the right here where Nintendo was being ridiculous, and engaging in whatever mental gymnastics it requires to try and hold such a stance.

It's the exact same scenario.
Literally not the same scenario like at all lol.

Tencent literally tried to license the IP and failed, then turned around and stole the entire look (and potentially premise) of Horizon (this alone makes the Sony case imo). When did Pocketpair approach Nintendo or the Pokemon Company in any way before Palworld?

And how does suing over someone aping the entire look and feel of your game relate to Nintendo trying to sue over gameplay element patents (which incidentally they're trying to change mid-trial to avoid losing)?

Thanks a lot nial nial , now the Nintendo fanboys are all agitated and it will take forever to calm them down again!
@GigaBowser will drop by at any moment posting a wall of screenshots of Street Fighter 6 Switch 2 vs Ps5pro.
Sadly temp-banned today.

#FreeGigaBowser!

chris farley GIF


China has a largest gaming populace in the world...why would Tencent care? They don't need USD/EU monies to make this game successful...just release it on steam like Wu Kong and rake in a ton of cash. Sony cannot stop Tencent from releasing this product in their territory. If they want to release it state side, sure they will have issues. If they just stick to China they will be fine...hell anyone that wants it over here from FOMO will snag it anyway they can regardless of Sony's actions (unless they want it on PS5 of course).
That's literally exactly what Sony is suing to do.

Any service game that loses the US market is basically DOA. Tencent now has to either win the case (unlikely) or they have to find a solution with Sony.

Any news where they will go to battle. In China's court or other country.
California Federal Court.
 
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The fact that Tencent initially approached tem about licensing it is going to be a problem for them.


To me, this is the difference maker and the reason why this case has nothing to do with Palworld's no matter how loud some shout.

I see bad faith from Tencent and that could give Sony the edge. Which doesnt mean that I agree with it being taken to the courtroom. We are just one bad sentence away from fucking things up for the future.
 
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Literally not the same scenario like at all lol.

Tencent literally tried to license the IP and failed, then turned around and stole the entire look (and potentially premise) of Horizon (this alone makes the Sony case imo). When did Pocketpair approach Nintendo or the Pokemon Company in any way before Palworld?

And how does suing over someone aping the entire look and feel of your game relate to Nintendo trying to sue over gameplay element patents (which incidentally they're trying to change mid-trial to avoid losing)?


Sadly temp-banned today.

#FreeGigaBowser!

chris farley GIF



That's literally exactly what Sony is suing to do.

Any service game that loses the US market is basically DOA. Tencent now has to either win the case (unlikely) or they have to find a solution with Sony.


Cali court.
🤣 Again?!?
 
I did but to my defense I didn't even know they made corporate boot licking meds. You must share some of your prescription with me sometime.

Happy Friday Night Lights GIF


Lighten up,you don't have to reply to every single negative comment someone makes regarding Sony.

You can't sit there with a straight face and tell me that what I said about Sony being hypocritical about this whole thing after Palworld isn't true.

As far as I'm concerned both Sony and Nintendo can fuck off with claims like these regardless of how similar they look as long as there's no direct code being copied especially when they have the audacity to sell the thousands of AI slop 1 minute games that permiate both the Ps Store and E shop.

Where do we draw the line? Should Rocksteady sue Insomniac for copying their Arkham Freeflow combat into Spiderman? Should Ubisoft sue every open world game with towers since Assassin's Creed? Or is it only art related? Only if two things look the same? From Software should sue Lies of P dev? Polyphony should sue every other racing sim out there for having the nerve to include cars in their game! Where do we draw the line?

Do these chinese games look similar to Horizon and Pokemon? YEAH they do,they clearly wear their inspiration on their sleeves to a ridiculous extent yet they play nothing alike which is more than I can say about some of those games I enumerated earlier that weren't targeted by suits.

So again I ask: Where do we draw the line?
 
It's actually funny to me seeing people bringing up From Software and soulslikes.

Good reminder that Sony Interactive Entertainment Inc. is the author of the 2009 PlayStation 3 video game software, Demon's Souls.
 
I did but to my defense I didn't even know they made corporate boot licking meds. You must share some of your prescription with me sometime.

Happy Friday Night Lights GIF


Lighten up,you don't have to reply to every single negative comment someone makes regarding Sony.

You can't sit there with a straight face and tell me that what I said about Sony being hypocritical about this whole thing after Palworld isn't true.

As far as I'm concerned both Sony and Nintendo can fuck off with claims like these regardless of how similar they look as long as there's no direct code being copied especially when they have the audacity to sell the thousands of AI slop 1 minute games that permiate both the Ps Store and E shop.

Where do we draw the line? Should Rocksteady sue Insomniac for copying their Arkham Freeflow combat into Spiderman? Should Ubisoft sue every open world game with towers since Assassin's Creed? Or is it only art related? Only if two things look the same? From Software should sue Lies of P dev? Polyphony should sue every other racing sim out there for having the nerve to include cars in their game! Where do we draw the line?

Do these chinese games look similar to Horizon and Pokemon? YEAH they do,they clearly wear their inspiration on their sleeves to a ridiculous extent yet they play nothing alike which is more than I can say about some of those games I enumerated earlier that weren't targeted by suits.

So again I ask: Where do we draw the line?
Meds. Again.

Also, SMEJ =/= SIE.
 
It's actually funny to me seeing people bringing up From Software and soulslikes.

Good reminder that Sony Interactive Entertainment Inc. is the author of the 2009 PlayStation 3 video game software, Demon's Souls.
That IS a good reminder indeed and here comes the part where you tell us all why Sony didn't sue From Software then if you think it's fine for them to do so now to a different company? It's the same principle.

Take one game's artstyle and just make another series with it,except From did more than just that,they took the whole code with them didn't they? So what changed?

It's almost as if Sony became overprotective of their ips over time. And I can see them not sueing From initially because From Software was the developer for DS initially,so they cut them some slack. Good guy Sony!

But what about now? They should sue From Software now since they have the audacity to make an exclusive game to Nintendo now,Sony's competitor,using updated assets from a series they started exclusively for Sony 16 years ago that they now use in a oddly similar styled game to Bloodborne,another game made exclusively on the playstation platform with Sony involvement that they now...copied the style for an exclusive on the competitor platform. Sounds like good cause for a suit judging by the current one they're involved in eh?

Does the hypocrisy start to make sense to you yet?
 
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watching the mental gymnastics taking place in this thread so people can defend Sony here while continuing to attack Nintendo is hilarious

this forum is going to have a meltdown when Sony starts releasing all their shit on the switch 2
 
That IS a good reminder indeed and here comes the part where you tell us all why Sony didn't sue From Software then if you think it's fine for them to do so now to a different company? It's the same principle.

Take one game's artstyle and just make another series with it,except From did more than just that,they took the whole code with them didn't they? So what changed?

It's almost as if Sony became overprotective of their ips over time. And I can see them not sueing From initially because From Software was the developer for DS initially,so they cut them some slack. Good guy Sony!

But what about now? They should sue From Software now since they have the audacity to make an exclusive game to Nintendo now,Sony's competitor,using updated assets from a series they started exclusively for Sony 16 years ago that they now use in a oddly similar styled game to Bloodborne,another game made exclusively on the playstation platform with Sony involvement that they now...copied the style for an exclusive on the competitor platform. Sounds like good cause for a suit judging by the current one they're involved in eh?

Does the hypocrisy start to make sense to you yet?
This is your third meltdown in a row. The Duskbloods doesn't exactly look at all like Bloodborne beyond some shallow similarities, and Sony, like most companies, would never sue you over copied game mechanics. That's how the entire soulslike genre is even allowed to exist.
This was Tencent pitching a licensed Horizon game, being told 'nope' and still running with it. Stop being disingenuous about it.
nial nial Can you please add the court doc link to the OP

Also interesting to see that Tencent started development of the game before they asked for the IP license, then just continued along after being told no.
Done!
 
First off, it's literally not the same Sony. You're thinking of SMEJ, this is SIE.
And second, I strongly suggest to look up what the lawsuit against PocketPair actually was for.
I'm mostly joking, I am fairly against Nintendo in the PalWorld lawsuit, so I have no issues with Sony siding with them lol (even if it had been the same entity)
 
Tencent was courteous enough to work with Sony, who refused, I don't see how that has any bearing on the resulting game. Like if Sega had asked Ghibli to make Panzer Dragoon a Nausicaa licence game, but that didn't pan out, and Ghibli could have sued them over the game we got just over it, lol.

Not much point in asking permission when you're going to go ahead regardless! Consent ? Nah, fuck that!


Yikes, hair color and gender, of so many they could have chosen, yikes, what a rip off, lol. Guess they're safe if they just change the hair color and gender, how silly of Sony, paying lawyers, starting procedures for something they can easily switch up in like 5 minutes and all the effort will be wasted...

What does "look and feel" imply you muppet !

This isn't a case of just cloning a format, like with all the Souls' copyists. When you incorporate character elements you're really asking for it! You might be able to copy the Mario formula, but if you're stupid enough to ALSO make your mascot character an Italian Plumber with a red hat... FAFO


Who's the "lead" according to you anyway as folks will make their own character & play with others, do you even know what you're defending/attacking here, actually watched/learned anything about the game, or just going off Sony's claims about it being exactly like their game, when it's just not?

The primary character shown in their marketing is a blatant Aloy clone! See my previous point to grasp why that matters, particularly in transmedia terms.

I've seen the artwork and watched the trailer, which will be enough because I absolutely guarantee that the similarities are so overt and shameless that Sony getting a temporary injunction blocking sale in all territiories covered by Berne is a stone cold certainty.

I know exactly what rights/legislation I'm defending... You on the other hand seem to have a bug up your ass about Sony and absolutely nothing to add to the conversation.
 
You cannot copyright an idea, and obviously the execution is very different here.

Sony should lose this, or else things will get real bad real fast.
Robot creatures existed long before horizon

I too would be shocked if Sony wins here

It would set really bad precedent

Even Nintendo didn't go that route despite the palworld monsters looking like temu Pokemon
 
This is your third meltdown in a row. The Duskbloods doesn't exactly look at all like Bloodborne beyond some shallow similarities, and Sony, like most companies, would never sue you over copied game mechanics. That's how the entire soulslike genre is even allowed to exist.
This was Tencent pitching a licensed Horizon game, being told 'nope' and still running with it. Stop being disingenuous about it.

Done!
The only meltdowns in this thread are you quickly trying to come to the defence of Sony on every negative post about them.

Ah yes,barely any similarities about Duskbloods and Bloodborne, that's why half the internet was thinking it was an indirect sequel to BB in the same vein as DS to DeS:
ZRdWSOAEUvsR0OSa.jpg
ylTs7c6zPuyYFljs.jpg



Look at all these "shallow" similarities:
t9xsBFa0Cp31kp6Q.jpg
PRuk1OxNVer6SirK.jpg
lTxBl8FoWFtGeMCw.jpg
vz8p9qf5C1v9zyq6.jpg


Now who's the one being disingenuous about it?

Keep doing what you're doing though! Everyone on GAF already knows exactly what it is...
 
Lol this is even more of a ripoff than Palworld.
That said, as long as there aren't any exact copies, no stolen code and no blatant attempts to mislead customers into thinking this is a Horizon game (or a Sony product) I still think they should be allowed to make the game.
 
nial nial Can you please add the court doc link to the OP

Also interesting to see that Tencent started development of the game before they asked for the IP license, then just continued along after being told no.
imagine being a steam chud posting shit and you end up in an official sony lawsuit... but it's a good way to shwo that people are confusing this for hzd which is why sony has a case. The screenshot comparison is also hilarious too.
 
Kind of surprised it took this long actually. Me and my friends were talking about it being the most blatant ripoff we'd ever seen like 7 months ago.
 
Robot creatures existed long before horizon

I too would be shocked if Sony wins here

It would set really bad precedent

Even Nintendo didn't go that route despite the palworld monsters looking like temu Pokemon
at least read the lawsuit before you type stupid stuff like this

it's not just durr robot creatures
 
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imagine being a steam chud posting shit and you end up in an official sony lawsuit... but it's a good way to shwo that people are confusing this for hzd which is why sony has a case. The screenshot comparison is also hilarious too.
Yeah the Steam comments making it in there are hilarious rofl.

The way Tencent seems to have approached this is they wanted to try and bully Sony into licensing out the IP under the threat that they'd get it one way or the other? Very weird and almost unprofessional lol.
 
The only meltdowns in this thread are you quickly trying to come to the defence of Sony on every negative post about them.

Ah yes,barely any similarities about Duskbloods and Bloodborne, that's why half the internet was thinking it was an indirect sequel to BB in the same vein as DS to DeS:
ZRdWSOAEUvsR0OSa.jpg
ylTs7c6zPuyYFljs.jpg



Look at all these "shallow" similarities:
t9xsBFa0Cp31kp6Q.jpg
PRuk1OxNVer6SirK.jpg
lTxBl8FoWFtGeMCw.jpg
vz8p9qf5C1v9zyq6.jpg


Now who's the one being disingenuous about it?

Keep doing what you're doing though! Everyone on GAF already knows exactly what it is...
Yep, as I said, shallow similarities. Where exactly do you think both Bloodborne and The Duskbloods take their inspirations, aesthetic-wise, from?
Call me when The Duskbloods has its own equivalent to this:
VuNm5SmAyNZGV1As.jpg

KH7lufsF5Jv0FZZG.jpg
 
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