But there's no question about them copying the Horizon series. Whether they're doing it as an IP infringement is up for the courts to decide. I also disagree with the Nintendo comparison because what Nintendo is doing far worse. Even though Nintendo is doing things in response to Palworld they're trying to patent a rather generic mechanics, like summonings or calling mounts (in a specific way) which means their actions won't just affect Palworld but also Cassette Beasts and maybe even Monster Hunter Stories.

Meanwhile Sony want to make sure someone isn't making a not Horizon game. I can't even make a realistic comparison to what couldn't exist if Sony wins because I can't think of another game that that slots exactly into what Horizon is. Fighting against robots is generic, ARC raiders does that. Tribals vs high tech is also pretty generic, that's essentially Avatar. Post-apocalyptic worlds are also generic and you'd have to narrow it down to get specifically Horizon style post-apocalyptic which itself is also not unique as that's essentially the same style The Last of Us uses (just to give the first example that came to mind). It's only after you take all those individual generic components and mash them together do you get Horizon, and the original reveal of Light of Motiram.

Look at this from the other perspective. Why does Light of Motiram need the same kind of tribal aesthetic like the Horizon games? Why does Light of Motiram need robot enemies that imitate animals like Horizon games down to the same visual style of robots? Why does Light of Motiram need the same post-apocalyptic world like the Horizon games down to the same color palette? Each of those things are rather generic concepts and Light of Motiram could've made their own interpretation of each of those concepts. It could've been Na'Vi tribals fighting ARC robots in an TLOU world, but instead in those instances it chose to do exactly what Horizon does.