Discover the latest on the canceled Horizon MMORPG and what's next for the franchise!
Horizon MMORPG Being Axed by NCSoft
NCSoft Cancels Horizon MMORPG and Other Projects Amid Feasibility Review
On January 13, 2025, NCSoft, a leading South Korean developer known for the Lineage and Guild Wars series, announced the cancellation of several projects, including the highly anticipated Horizon MMORPG, codenamed "H." This decision came after a thorough "feasibility review," as reported by the South Korean news site MTN. Alongside "H," projects codenamed "J" were also terminated, while "Pantera" or "Raising Lineage" remains under review.
The cancellation of "Project H" was further solidified by the departure of key developers from NCSoft. Those who remained were reassigned to other ongoing projects within the company. The removal of "H" and "J" from NCSoft's organizational chart underscores the finality of these cancellations.
As of now, neither Sony nor NCSoft has issued an official statement regarding this development. It remains uncertain whether another team will pick up the remnants of "Project H" and continue its development.
Despite this setback, fans of the Horizon series can look forward to another multiplayer project in development by Guerilla Games.
Guerrilla Games Developing Horizon "Online Project" Since 2022
Guerilla Games announced their venture into the online space with a Horizon multiplayer game, dubbed the "Online Project," via a Twitter(X) post on December 16, 2022. They are actively seeking developers to join their team in Amsterdam to create this new game, which promises "a new cast of characters and a unique stylized look."
In November 2023, a job listing for a Senior Combat Designer hinted at the development of larger and more challenging machine enemies designed to engage multiple players simultaneously. This suggests a robust multiplayer experience is in the works.
As of January 2025, Guerilla Games continues to recruit for their Horizon multiplayer project, with a recent job listing for a Senior Platform Engineer indicating plans for a game that could support up to one million players globally. While no official announcement has been made, this project appears to be internally developed by Sony, separate from NCSoft's efforts.
Sony Announced its Partnership with NCSoft
On November 28, 2023, Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE) formalized a "strategic global partnership" with NCSoft, aiming to leverage NCSoft's technological expertise and SIE's global entertainment leadership. Jim Ryan, President and CEO of SIE, emphasized the partnership's goal to expand PlayStation's reach beyond consoles and deliver high-quality entertainment experiences to a broader audience.
While the Horizon MMORPG may not see the light of day, this collaboration opens doors for other Sony titles to potentially reach mobile platforms, signaling exciting possibilities for the future of gaming.