Horizon MMO Canceled by NCSoft

NCSoft Scraps Horizon MMORPG "Project H"

NCSoft has canceled its upcoming Horizon MMORPG, codenamed "H," 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. Other projects, including one codenamed "J," were also reportedly axed. "Pantera," or "Raising Lineage," remains under evaluation. The report further indicates that projects "H" and "J" have been removed from NCSoft's organizational chart.

While neither Sony nor NCSoft have issued official statements, the news raises questions about the future of the Horizon MMORPG. It remains uncertain if another developer will acquire the project's assets.

However, a separate Horizon online multiplayer game is still under development.

Guerrilla Games' Horizon "Online Project" Remains on Track

Guerrilla Games, the studio behind the main Horizon series, confirmed its work on a distinct online project within the Horizon universe in December 2022. Job postings, including one for a Senior Combat Designer in November 2023, highlighted the development of new, challenging machines designed for multiplayer combat. A recent January 2025 job listing for a Senior Platform Engineer suggests the game anticipates a player base exceeding one million.

This suggests a significant online component, potentially scaling to a large player base. The game's continued development suggests it's a Sony-led project, distinct from the now-canceled NCSoft effort.

Sony and NCSoft's Strategic Partnership

The November 28, 2023 announcement of a strategic partnership between Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE) and NCSoft aimed to leverage NCSoft's technological expertise and SIE's global reach. While the Horizon MMORPG's cancellation is disappointing, this partnership might open avenues for other Sony titles to enter the mobile gaming market.