An upcoming Horizon MMORPG, codenamed "H," has been canceled after some devs left NCSoft. Dive deeper to uncover the details of this abandoned project!
Horizon MMORPG Being Axed by NCSoft
NCSoft Cancels Horizon MMORPG and Other Projects Amid Feasibility Review
On January 13, 2025, MTN, a reputable South Korean news outlet, reported that NCSoft, a leading developer and publisher known for the Lineage and Guild Wars MMORPG series, canceled multiple projects, including the highly anticipated Horizon MMORPG. The decision came as part of a thorough "feasibility review."
Alongside the Horizon project, codenamed "H," another project known as "J" met the same fate. Meanwhile, "Pantera" or "Raising Lineage" remains under review, leaving its future uncertain.
The report from MTN also highlighted that the developers responsible for the Horizon MMORPG have departed NCSoft. Those who remained after the project's cancellation were reassigned to other initiatives within the company. The removal of projects "H" and "J" from NCSoft's organizational chart underscores their official cancellation.
As of now, neither Sony nor NCSoft has issued an official statement regarding this development. It remains to be seen if other publishers or development teams might pick up the pieces of "Project H" and continue its journey.
Despite this setback, fans of the Horizon series can find solace in knowing that Guerrilla Games is actively developing another multiplayer project within the Horizon universe.
Guerrilla Games Developing Horizon "Online Project" Since 2022
Guerrilla Games announced their foray into the Horizon universe's online realm via a Twitter(X) post on December 16, 2022. They called for game developers to join their Amsterdam-based team to work on "a separate Online Project set in Horizon’s universe," which promises "a new cast of characters and a unique stylized look."
Further evidence of this ongoing project surfaced with a job listing in November 2023 for a Senior Combat Designer. The listing emphasized the need for someone to "work closely with your Lead Combat Designer to design multiple machine enemies that provide a variety of challenges against multiple players." This suggests that the game will feature formidable machines designed to challenge groups of players, hinting at a robust multiplayer experience.
As of January 2025, Guerrilla Games continues its search for talent, with a recent job posting for a Senior Platform Engineer. The role requires "proven experience in building and operating multi-service, 1M+ globally distributed systems across multiple public cloud providers," indicating that the game is expected to support a large player base. While an official announcement is still pending, it's clear that Guerrilla Games is making strides toward a new Horizon multiplayer title, potentially developed internally by Sony.
Sony Announced its Partnership with NCSoft
On November 28, 2023, Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE) unveiled a "strategic global partnership" with NCSoft, aiming to leverage NCSoft’s technological expertise alongside SIE’s global leadership in entertainment.
Jim Ryan, President and CEO of SIE, stated, "Partnering with NCSOFT advances our strategy to expand beyond console and broaden PlayStation’s reach to a wider audience. Like SIE, NCSOFT shares a similar vision in creating high-quality, impactful entertainment experiences for players everywhere, and together we’re excited to collaborate to push the boundaries of gaming further."
Through this alliance, Sony is poised to explore new avenues in online multiplayer gaming. While the Horizon MMORPG may not see the light of day, this partnership could pave the way for other Sony titles to venture into the mobile gaming space.
