Horizon MMO Canceled by NCSoft

News broke recently about the cancellation of an upcoming Horizon MMORPG, codenamed "H," following the departure of several key developers from NCSoft. Let's delve into the details.

NCSoft Cancels Horizon MMORPG and Other Projects

On January 13, 2025, South Korean news outlet MTN reported that NCSoft had cancelled several projects, including the anticipated Horizon MMORPG. This decision came as part of a broader "feasibility review" by the company, a prominent South Korean developer and publisher known for franchises like Lineage and Guild Wars. Besides "Project H," another project codenamed "J" was also reportedly axed, while "Pantera" (or "Raising Lineage") remains under review.

The MTN report further stated that the developers directly involved with "Project H" left NCSoft. Remaining team members have reportedly been reassigned to other company projects. The removal of "H" and "J" from NCSoft's organizational chart further solidifies the cancellation.

While neither Sony nor NCSoft have issued official statements regarding this report, the future of "Project H" remains uncertain. It's currently unknown if another publisher or development team will take on the project.

However, the news isn't entirely bleak for Horizon fans. Guerrilla Games is actively developing a separate Horizon multiplayer game.

Guerrilla Games' Horizon "Online Project" Remains on Track

Guerrilla Games publicly confirmed their work on an online Horizon project in a December 16, 2022, Twitter (X) post. The post highlighted the search for developers to join their Amsterdam team, emphasizing a "new cast of characters and a unique stylized look."

A November 2023 job listing for a Senior Combat Designer further illuminated the project's scope, mentioning the design of "multiple machine enemies that provide a variety of challenges against multiple players." This suggests larger, more formidable machines designed for multiplayer combat.

A recent January 2025 job posting for a Senior Platform Engineer revealed Guerrilla Games anticipates "1M+ globally distributed systems," hinting at a player base of over one million. While an official announcement is pending, this upcoming game appears to be a Sony internal project rather than an NCSoft collaboration.

Sony and NCSoft's Partnership: A Broader Perspective

On November 28, 2023, Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE) announced a strategic global partnership with NCSoft, combining NCSoft's technology with Sony's global reach. Jim Ryan, President and CEO of SIE, stated the partnership would expand PlayStation's reach to a wider audience. While the cancelled Horizon MMORPG is a setback, this partnership could pave the way for other Sony titles to reach mobile platforms.