Insider Reveals Update on the Next Horizon Game

A credible insider has suggested that Guerrilla Games might launch the highly anticipated Horizon multiplayer project before the release of the third mainline entry in the franchise. If this information is accurate, fans eager for a sequel to Horizon Forbidden West may have to wait even longer than expected.

Guerrilla Games is currently overseeing an impressive 16 Horizon projects, which also encompass various cross-media adaptations. Some fans have managed to decode several of these initiatives, including a live-service multiplayer game, an MMO, a television adaptation, a sequel to Forbidden West, a remaster of Zero Dawn, and the upcoming LEGO Horizon Adventures. Most of these projects are being developed by external studios, with Guerrilla providing oversight.

Internally, development on the Horizon multiplayer game has been in progress for several years, running parallel to the development of the third single-player installment following Horizon Forbidden West. However, it appears that fans eagerly anticipating the latter may need to be more patient, as industry insider Jason Schreier recently indicated in a Spawncast episode that Guerrilla plans to release the Horizon multiplayer project first. The third single-player game is reportedly still "a ways off."

Sony’s Confidence in the Horizon Multiplayer Game

Schreier further noted that Sony's commitment to live-service games is "no joke," with the Horizon multiplayer project being one of the few live-service titles to survive recent cancellations. This could suggest that Sony has considerable confidence in the game's potential. However, given the disappointing commercial performance of Concord, only time will reveal how the Horizon multiplayer project will perform in the market. Considering the game has been under development since at least 2018, it seems plausible that Guerrilla is nearing the end of its development cycle.

The captivating world of Horizon and its massive machine adversaries are among its most appealing features, and the idea of a multiplayer game that effectively utilizes these elements appears promising. Previous rumors have hinted that the Horizon multiplayer project may even introduce larger machines, which could provide a unique experience compared to other live-service titles. On the other hand, the challenge of post-launch support looms large. Naughty Dog's cancellation of The Last of Us Online was largely due to the extensive resources required for ongoing support of a live-service project after launch. It will be intriguing to see how Guerrilla plans to handle this aspect for the Horizon multiplayer game.