Guerrilla Games, the studio behind the Horizon franchise, is prioritizing development of a new co-operative action game, Horizon Hunters Gathering, which is impacting the timeline for a potential Horizon 3. According to reporting by Bloomberg journalist Jason Schreier, most of the studio is currently focused on the co-op title, pushing the next single-player installment in the series years into the future – potentially even to the next generation of PlayStation consoles.
The shift in focus comes as Guerrilla Games aims to expand the Horizon universe beyond its established single-player formula. Horizon Hunters Gathering is described as a “tactical co-op” experience, and features “roguelike looting,” according to announcements. The game is currently in early development, with sign-ups for playtests now open. This indicates the project is still some distance from release, further delaying the arrival of a direct sequel to Horizon Forbidden West.
Schreier’s reporting aligns with previous statements indicating that Horizon Hunters Gathering was already considered the “next big project” from Guerrilla Games. This suggests a strategic decision by Sony and Guerrilla to invest heavily in a multiplayer offering, potentially to compete with other popular live-service games on the market. The move also reflects a broader trend within the industry towards games-as-a-service models, which aim to generate ongoing revenue through in-game purchases and subscriptions.
The Horizon franchise has seen rapid expansion since the release of Horizon Zero Dawn in . Horizon Forbidden West followed in , building upon the success of the original. Beyond the core console titles, the franchise has extended to PlayStation VR2 with Horizon Call of the Mountain, a remastered version of the first game for PS5, and a LEGO adaptation, LEGO Horizon Adventures. NCSoft is developing Horizon Steel Frontiers for PC and mobile platforms, demonstrating the franchise’s growing reach across different platforms and genres.
The decision to prioritize Horizon Hunters Gathering over Horizon 3 is a significant one, signaling a potential shift in the direction of the franchise. While the single-player Horizon games have been critically acclaimed and commercially successful, the co-op title represents a new avenue for Guerrilla Games to engage with its audience and generate revenue. The live-service nature of the game, combined with its roguelike elements, suggests a focus on long-term player engagement and replayability.
The delay of Horizon 3 also raises questions about the future of the franchise and its potential arrival on the next generation of PlayStation hardware. Given the current development timeline, it’s plausible that the next single-player installment could be a PlayStation 6 title. This would represent a substantial wait for fans eager to continue Aloy’s story, but it also allows Guerrilla Games ample time to develop a truly ambitious and innovative experience.
The development of multiple Horizon projects simultaneously – including a co-op game, a PC/mobile title, and potentially a future single-player installment – highlights the franchise’s importance to Sony and its commitment to expanding the Horizon universe. However, it also presents challenges in terms of resource allocation and maintaining the quality of each individual project. The success of Horizon Hunters Gathering will likely play a crucial role in determining the future direction of the franchise and the timing of Horizon 3’s eventual release.
