Horizon MMO Canceled by NCSoft

NCSoft's Cancellation of the Horizon MMORPG "Project H"

News broke on January 13, 2025, via South Korean news outlet MTN, that NCSoft had cancelled several projects, including a highly anticipated Horizon MMORPG, codenamed "H." This decision followed a company-wide "feasibility review." NCSoft, a major South Korean developer known for the Lineage and Guild Wars franchises, cited the review as the reason for halting development. Along with "Project H," another project, codenamed "J," was also reportedly scrapped, while "Project Pantera" (or "Raising Lineage") remains under evaluation.

The report further indicated that key developers assigned to "Project H" departed NCSoft. Remaining team members were reportedly reassigned to other company projects. The removal of "Projects H" and "J" from NCSoft's organizational chart serves as further confirmation of their cancellation. No official statement has been released by either Sony or NCSoft regarding this news. The future of "Project H" and the possibility of another developer picking up the project remains uncertain.

A Separate Horizon Multiplayer Game is Still in Development

Despite the cancellation of the NCSoft project, Guerrilla Games, the studio behind the main Horizon series, is actively developing a separate online multiplayer game, referred to as the "Online Project."

Guerrilla Games publicly announced their intention to create a Horizon online experience in a December 16, 2022, Twitter (X) post. This project, they stated, would feature a new cast of characters and a unique visual style. Job postings, including one for a Senior Combat Designer in November 2023, hinted at the development of larger, more challenging machines designed for multiple player encounters.

A recent job listing for a Senior Platform Engineer, seeking experience with "1M+ globally distributed systems," suggests Guerrilla Games anticipates a player base of at least one million for their upcoming online title. While details remain scarce, this project is likely being developed internally by Sony, rather than through the NCSoft partnership.

Sony and NCSoft's Strategic Partnership

On November 28, 2023, Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE) and NCSoft announced a strategic global partnership, aiming to leverage NCSoft's technological expertise and Sony's global reach in the entertainment industry. This collaboration could lead to future Sony titles appearing on mobile platforms.

While the cancellation of the NCSoft Horizon MMORPG is disappointing, the continued development of Guerrilla Games' online project offers a glimmer of hope for fans eager to experience the Horizon universe in a multiplayer setting. The future of the Horizon franchise in the online space remains dynamic and intriguing.