NCSoft Scraps Horizon MMORPG "Project H"
NCSoft's plans for a Horizon MMORPG, internally codenamed "H," have been cancelled, according to a January 13, 2025 report by South Korean news outlet MTN. The cancellation follows a company-wide "feasibility review" that also resulted in the termination of other unannounced projects (codenamed "J"). The report further states that key developers assigned to "Project H" have departed NCSoft, with remaining team members reassigned to different projects. The removal of "H" and "J" from NCSoft's organizational chart solidifies the cancellation.
While neither Sony nor NCSoft have issued official statements, the news raises questions about the future of the Horizon IP in the MMO space. The possibility of another developer picking up the project remains uncertain.
However, a separate Horizon online multiplayer game is still under development.
Guerrilla Games' Ongoing Horizon Online Project
Guerrilla Games, the studio behind the main Horizon series, confirmed in a December 2022 Twitter (X) post their work on a distinct online project within the Horizon universe. This project, featuring a new cast and art style, is separate from the cancelled NCSoft MMORPG.
Job postings, including one for a Senior Combat Designer in November 2023 and a recent listing for a Senior Platform Engineer, suggest a large-scale multiplayer experience is in the works. The latter posting indicates Guerrilla Games anticipates a player base exceeding one million. The game's specifics remain unannounced.
Sony and NCSoft's Strategic Partnership
The recent strategic partnership between Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE) and NCSoft, announced November 28, 2023, adds another layer of complexity. While the cancelled Horizon MMORPG is a setback, this collaboration could open doors for other Sony titles to reach mobile platforms.
Jim Ryan, President and CEO of SIE, highlighted the partnership's potential to expand PlayStation's reach beyond consoles. The future of online multiplayer gaming within the Sony ecosystem, while potentially altered by the cancellation of "Project H," remains promising.
