Tencent says it's not ripping off Horizon Zero Dawn, calls it derivative

Tencent, the Chinese tech giant, has responded to a lawsuit filed by Sony Interactive Entertainment over the alleged copyright infringement of Horizon Zero Dawn in its game 'Honor of Kings'. In a court filing, Tencent argues that Aloy, the protagonist of Horizon Zero Dawn, is not central to Sony's brand and that the game's setting and gameplay mechanics are not unique or original. Tencent claims that the elements in question, such as a fantasy setting with mechanical creatures, are common in the video game industry and cannot be copyrighted. The company further asserts that Horizon Zero Dawn is a derivative work that borrows from other games and that its own game, 'Honor of Kings', does not infringe on Sony's intellectual property. The legal dispute highlights the ongoing tension between major gaming companies as they seek to protect their intellectual property rights and navigate the competitive landscape of the industry.