PlayStation's Live-Service Pivot
A few years ago, PlayStation made a strategic shift towards live-service games, inspired by the success of titles like Fortnite. The Horizon series emerged as one of PlayStation's flagship IPs in this new era.
Rise and Fall of Horizon MMO
Despite initial promise, the Horizon MMO project has now been reportedly cancelled. This move comes amidst a wave of cancellations and failures in the live-service gaming space.
Industry Trends and Setbacks
In February 2024, four major live-service games were launched, with only one achieving success. PlayStation itself recently axed two live-service titles, including an online God of War game.
NCSoft's Role and Struggles
NCSoft, known for MMOs like Throne and Liberty, faced setbacks with projects codenamed Pantera, H, and J. The cancelled H project was rumored to be an MMO based on the Horizon series.
Financial Struggles and Future Outlook
NCSoft's financial challenges have raised concerns, with 2025 identified as a critical year for the company's future. The Horizon MMO cancellation adds to the company's woes.
Partnership and Development Insights
Sony's collaboration with NCSoft aimed to expand PlayStation's reach beyond consoles. Reports suggest that work on the Horizon MMO began in 2021, involving a significant team and Unreal Engine 5.
What's Next for Horizon?
While the Horizon MMO project faces an uncertain fate, a separate live-service game based on the Horizon series is still in progress at Guerilla Games.
