Horizon PS5 spin-off scrapped as Sony’s gaming purge continues

A recent report on current NCSoft projects shows that the planned Horizon MMO has been canceled in what is becoming a trend for Sony live-service titles.

Horizon PS5 spin-off scrapped as Sony’s gaming purge continues
Jamie Sharp

Jamie Sharp

Published

Today, we've heard the news that NCSoft's Horizon MMO has been canceled. While it might not have been able to stand alongside the best PS5 multiplayer games, it's never nice to hear about a developer's work has been canned. The game was slated to be a PC, mobile, and PS5 spin-off in the Horizon franchise that incorporated MMO elements.

Live-service Horizon game is the latest casualty in a series of cancelations

  • Rumors of a Horizon MMO first surfaced in 2022
  • Sony and NCSoft publicly announced a partnership in 2023
  • NCSoft's co-CEO's make it sound like 2025 is the last year the company has to turn things around
This situation confused me at first so let's be clear about which game has been canceled. Guerrilla Games, the developer responsible for creating the Horizon franchise is still, as far as we know, working on a co-op Horizon game. Meanwhile, NCSoft was simultaneously developing a Horizon MMO for mobile, PC, and PS5, and it's this game that has been canceled.

fighting people in horizon zero dawn remastered

According to a report from Korean publication MTN, and subsequent translation and sleuthing on ResetEra, a feasibility review resulted in several groups of staff being told to stop working on specific projects.

We know NCSoft has stopped work on the project, specifically rumored to be the Horizon MMO because of its codenames, 'Project H' and 'Project Skyline,' which appear to have been internally referred to as Projects H and J. According to a translation of the report, "Of these, 'H' and 'J' have already disappeared from the company's organizational chart."

As you'll likely know, this news comes less than a week after Sony confirmed that two live-service games between Bend Studio and Bluepoint had been canceled. One of these, similar to NCSoft's title, was a multiplayer spin-off of a beloved PlayStation Studios IP, God of War.

Jamie
Jamie's Take —

This Horizon game cancelation might be for the best

walking around a market in horizon zero dawn

I love the Horizon series to bits, but I was skeptical about a multiplayer entry for a long time after initially hearing about one being in the works. The idea of hunting machines with other players sounds amazing, but I can't imagine it working in practice, let alone with PvP elements involved.

I actually think the human combat in this series is its weakest element. Another reason is that for this MMO to thrive, it would need a strong team behind it to support it for years. Unfortunately, by NCSoft’s own admission, it doesn’t sound like they’re in the right place for a project of this scale.

A translation (included in our ResetEra source) of a New Year's statement from the company's co-CEOs makes things sound desperate. "NC needs to re-arm itself with the venture spirit it first started with. Let’s make 2025 a year of bone-crushing efforts with the mindset that if we don’t turn around by 2025, NC will never have a future."

aloy alone in horizon zero dawn remastered

I know that times are tough, but that is a tremendously heavy statement to hear from your co-CEOs. In one sense, it looks like the writing is on the wall. However, with the cancelation of several projects, perhaps NCSoft can turn things around by focusing on the work that they believe has the best chance of success.

It makes sense to take risks in times of plenty, but when the going gets tough, you've got to go with what you know. A risky Sony IP mobile spin-off sounds about as risky as it gets.

This news obviously doesn't change the fact that the Horizon series is comprised of some of the best PS5 games ever made. Are you saddened by this news, knowing that you won't get a Horizon MMO anytime soon, if ever? Let us know what you think in the comments.
Written by Jamie Sharp
Staff Writer Jamie has been playing PlayStation for over 25 years and a games journalist since 2019. He writes about upcoming PS5 games like Monster Hunter Wilds and ongoing shooters like Helldivers II. Jamie’s favorites include Metal Gear Solid and Horizon, horror like Resident Evil and Silent Hill, and indies with unique mechanics that make you appreciate the art form!
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