News broke recently that an upcoming Horizon MMORPG, codenamed "H," has been canceled by NCSoft following the departure of key developers. Let's delve into the details.
NCSoft Cancels Horizon MMORPG and Other Projects
According to a January 13, 2025 report by South Korean news outlet MTN, NCSoft—the powerhouse behind franchises like Lineage and Guild Wars—canceled several projects, including the anticipated Horizon MMORPG. The cancellation stemmed from an internal "feasibility review," a process that also reportedly led to the scrapping of projects codenamed "J," while another project, "Pantera" or "Raising Lineage," remains under evaluation.
The MTN report further revealed that developers directly involved with "Project H" left NCSoft. Remaining team members have reportedly been reassigned to other company projects. The removal of "H" and "J" from NCSoft's organizational chart serves as further confirmation of their cancellation. While neither Sony nor NCSoft has issued an official statement, the future of "Project H" remains uncertain, leaving open the possibility of another developer picking up the reins.
However, there’s still hope for Horizon fans craving a multiplayer experience.
Guerrilla Games' Horizon "Online Project" Remains in Development
Guerrilla Games, the studio behind the main Horizon series, confirmed its work on a separate online project within the Horizon universe in a December 16, 2022, Twitter (X) post. This project promises a fresh take with "a new cast of characters and a unique stylized look."
A November 2023 job listing for a Senior Combat Designer highlighted the development of "multiple machine enemies that provide a variety of challenges against multiple players," suggesting a significant scale and challenge for players. Further hinting at the multiplayer aspect, a recent job posting for a Senior Platform Engineer revealed Guerrilla Games' anticipation of a player base exceeding one million. This ambitious scale suggests a large-scale online experience. While details remain scarce, this project, potentially developed solely by Sony, is still actively under development.
Sony and NCSoft's Partnership: Implications for the Future
Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE) announced a strategic global partnership with NCSoft on November 28, 2023, aiming to leverage NCSoft's technological expertise and SIE's global reach. While the cancellation of the NCSoft Horizon MMORPG is disappointing, this partnership opens up new avenues for Sony, potentially bringing more of its titles to mobile platforms.
