Tencent’s upcoming open-world survival title Light of Motiram has quietly vanished from both Steam and the Epic Games Store. Store pages that were previously live now either redirect users back to the platform’s homepage or return error pages, with no explanation provided by the publisher or developer.
The removal closely follows the sudden conclusion of a legal dispute between Tencent and Sony, raising serious questions about the game’s future.
A Project Plagued by Controversy From Its Reveal
Light of Motiram was officially announced in November 2024 and developed by Aurora Game Studio, operating under Polaris Quest, a Tencent Games subsidiary. The game debuted alongside a lengthy gameplay showcase, presenting a survival-focused open world filled with massive mechanical creatures referred to as “Mechanimals.”
Almost immediately, the reveal sparked backlash. Players drew heavy comparisons to Guerrilla Games’ Horizon franchise, citing near-identical themes, machine designs, visual composition, and even the look of the main character. Accusations of the game being a near carbon copy spread rapidly across social media and community forums.
Sony’s Lawsuit and Escalating Legal Pressure
In July, Sony formally escalated the situation by filing a lawsuit accusing Tencent of copyright and trademark infringement. According to Sony, Tencent had previously pitched a Horizon-related mobile project in early 2024. After that proposal was rejected, Sony alleged that Tencent continued development anyway, using Horizon as a direct creative foundation.
Over the following months, the legal conflict intensified. By early December, Tencent had agreed to halt public testing and marketing of Light of Motiram while preparing for a potential court hearing scheduled for 2026.
Lawsuit Ends Suddenly With Confidential Settlement
That hearing now appears to be off the table. Court filings dated December 18 confirm that the lawsuit has been resolved through a confidential settlement, with the case officially dismissed with prejudice. This means neither party can revive the lawsuit in the future.
No details were disclosed regarding financial compensation or development restrictions, and both companies have remained silent since the filing surfaced.
Storefront Removal Signals Possible Cancellation
Shortly before the settlement became public, players began noticing that Light of Motiram had disappeared from digital storefronts entirely. This timing has fueled speculation that the game may have been canceled outright, or forced into a prolonged redesign phase.
While the game’s official website is still online and its social channels technically remain active, activity has all but stopped. The Discord server is still accessible, but discussion has shifted almost entirely toward concerns about cancellation and the lack of communication.
Redesigning the Game May Be Unrealistic
Sony’s original legal claims went far beyond surface-level inspiration. The lawsuit alleged that Light of Motiram borrowed extensively from Horizon’s:
- Visual identity and color grading
- Machine concepts and animation language
- HUD layout and interface structure
- Audio design and soundtrack elements
Addressing those concerns would require more than cosmetic changes. A full overhaul of the game’s core design would likely demand significant time, funding, and creative restructuring, making a future release increasingly uncertain.
Silence From Tencent Leaves the Game in Limbo
As of now, Tencent and Aurora Game Studio have provided no clarification on whether Light of Motiram has been canceled, rebooted, or indefinitely shelved. However, the combination of a confidential settlement, halted promotion, and complete storefront removal paints a grim picture.
Unless Tencent breaks its silence, Light of Motiram appears to be effectively dead, serving as another reminder of how intellectual property disputes can abruptly end even high-profile projects.
