TENCENT(HK:00700) Xin Lang Cai Jing·2025-12-17 05:31Core Viewpoint - The legal dispute between Tencent and Sony Interactive Entertainment over the copyright of "Wild Origin" has reached a temporary agreement, pausing all marketing and public testing activities for the game, with a key hearing postponed to January 29, 2026. This lawsuit, which began in July 2025, involves critical issues such as the definition of "plagiarism," strategic competition among industry giants, and the protection of intellectual property rights, drawing significant global market attention [1][9]. Group 1: Origin of the Dispute and Controversy Focus - The dispute traces back to March 2024 when Tencent executives approached Sony at the Game Developers Conference in San Francisco to propose a collaboration on a game adaptation of the "Horizon" IP, which was explicitly rejected by Sony [2][10]. - Eight months later, Tencent announced its self-developed game "Wild Origin," which features a red-haired female protagonist and a post-apocalyptic world populated by mechanical creatures, closely resembling the "Horizon" series. Notably, Sony's PlayStation China account initially shared the game's promotional video, hinting at "future cooperation," but later deleted the post, leading to a rapid deterioration in relations [2][10]. - Sony's lawsuit claims that "Wild Origin" is a "poor copy," citing substantial similarities in character design, core visual style, and promotional material composition. Tencent counters that these elements are common expressions in the sci-fi genre and accuses Sony of attempting to monopolize public domain content [2][10]. Group 2: Strategic Considerations of the Temporary Agreement - On December 1, both parties submitted a joint motion to the California court, reaching a strategic agreement that involves a mutual exchange of interests. Tencent agreed to suspend game promotion and testing until at least the fourth quarter of 2027, while Sony consented to extend the legal timeline and consolidate hearing schedules [3][11]. - Tencent's concession allows it to avoid high-risk promotional investments during the litigation period, as the game's original release window is still far off. This pause has limited business impact and provides Tencent with more time for legal preparation. Additionally, the removal of controversial materials from the Steam page indicates Tencent's proactive approach to reducing infringement risks [3][11]. - Sony benefits by temporarily eliminating potential market competition without an official court ruling, as it is developing "Horizon: Steel Frontier" in collaboration with NCSoft. The delay of Tencent's product creates a more favorable market window for Sony's official IP derivative [3][11]. Group 3: Industry Underpinnings and Future Implications - The dispute reflects deeper structural contradictions within the gaming industry. Sony has been pushing for a transition to service-oriented games but has faced setbacks with projects like "Starfall" and the cancellation of the multiplayer version of "The Last of Us," leading it to rely on the multiplayer adaptation of the "Horizon" IP [4][12][13]. - Tencent's intensive layout in the SOC (Survival Open World Construction) sector has led it to place high hopes on "Wild Origin." However, the need for cost control and conflicts with high revenue-sharing models for IP licensing have prompted Tencent to adopt a "borrow and improve" strategy [4][12][13]. - The competitive relationship between Tencent and Sony complicates the situation further. While Tencent represents Nintendo Switch in China and competes with Sony, both companies hold shares in FromSoftware and Tencent's games must be available on the PlayStation platform. This "cooperation and competition" dynamic suggests that the lawsuit serves more as a reset of negotiation leverage rather than a complete breakdown [4][12][13]. Group 4: Legal Outcomes and Industry Impact - The January 2026 hearing is expected to be a watershed moment for the case. If the court supports Sony's injunction request, "Wild Origin" may face significant modifications or even termination. Conversely, if Tencent successfully rebuts the lawsuit, it will need to reassess the legal risks associated with global game distribution [5][14]. - Industry experts indicate a high probability of reconciliation between the two parties, such as Tencent obtaining formal IP licensing or adjusting game content through compensation payments [5][14]. - Regardless of the outcome, this case sets a precedent for the industry, highlighting the need for strengthened intellectual property protection. Sony's detailed claims regarding gameplay mechanics and visual elements may prompt more lawsuits from major companies against "stitched" products [7][14]. - The global competitive strategy will require Tencent to balance self-developed IP innovation with compliance costs, while Sony must reconsider the flexibility of its IP collaboration models [7][15]. Conclusion - The "silence" surrounding "Wild Origin" not only represents a commercial battle between two giants but also reveals the gaming industry's transition from broad borrowing to a redefinition of rules. In an era where content homogenization and the desire for innovation coexist, the outcome of this case will profoundly influence the research and development strategies and collaboration models of global manufacturers. As capital and technology accelerate their collision, the boundaries between law and creativity are increasingly blurred, with the court ruling in early 2026 poised to draw a critical line for the industry [8][16].