Horizon MMO Development Halted

NCSoft Scraps Horizon MMORPG "Project H"

NCSoft's ambitious Horizon MMORPG, codenamed "H," has been canceled, according to a January 13, 2025 report by South Korean news outlet MTN. The cancellation follows a company-wide "feasibility review" and the departure of key developers from the project. This decision also impacted other unannounced titles, with "Project J" also reportedly axed, while "Project Pantera" (or "Raising Lineage") remains under evaluation. The cancellation of "H" and "J" was further confirmed by their removal from NCSoft's organizational chart.

While NCSoft and Sony have yet to officially comment, the news raises questions about the future of the Horizon IP in the MMO space. The fate of "Project H's" remaining assets remains uncertain, with no confirmation of another developer picking up the project.

However, a separate Horizon multiplayer experience is still in development.

Guerrilla Games' Horizon "Online Project" Remains on Track

Guerrilla Games, the studio behind the main Horizon series, has been actively developing a separate online project since at least December 2022. This was confirmed via a Twitter (X) announcement seeking developers to join their Amsterdam team. The project promises a new cast of characters and a unique visual style.

Further evidence of the online project's ongoing development is found in job postings, including one for a Senior Combat Designer in November 2023, which hinted at designing challenging machine enemies for multiple players. A recent January 2025 job posting for a Senior Platform Engineer reveals Guerrilla Games anticipates a player base of over one million, suggesting a large-scale online experience.

The scale of this project and its independent development from NCSoft suggest it may be a Sony-led initiative, separate from the now-canceled NCSoft MMORPG.

Sony and NCSoft's Partnership: Broader Implications

The November 28, 2023 announcement of a strategic partnership between Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE) and NCSoft aimed to expand PlayStation's reach and leverage NCSoft's technological expertise. While the Horizon MMORPG didn't materialize, this partnership could lead to other Sony titles appearing on mobile platforms in the future.

In conclusion, while the cancellation of NCSoft's Horizon MMORPG is disappointing, Guerrilla Games' continued work on their separate online project offers a glimmer of hope for fans anticipating a multiplayer Horizon experience. The long-term implications of the Sony-NCSoft partnership remain to be seen.