Horizon MMO Canceled by NCSoft

NCSoft's Cancellation of Horizon MMORPG "Project H"

News broke on January 13, 2025, via South Korean news outlet MTN, that NCSoft had cancelled several projects, including a Horizon MMORPG codenamed "H." This decision follows a company-wide "feasibility review." NCSoft, known for the Lineage and Guild Wars franchises, cited this review as the reason for halting development. Along with "Project H," another project codenamed "J" was also reportedly cancelled, while "Pantera" (or "Raising Lineage") remains under evaluation. The report further stated that key developers assigned to "Project H" departed NCSoft, with remaining team members reassigned to other company projects. The removal of "H" and "J" from NCSoft's organizational chart further solidifies the cancellations. Official confirmation from Sony or NCSoft is pending. The future of "Project H" and the possibility of another developer picking up the project remain uncertain.

Guerrilla Games' Ongoing Horizon Online Project

Independently, Guerrilla Games has been actively developing a separate Horizon online project since 2022, as confirmed via a December 16, 2022 Twitter(X) post. This project, currently untitled, features a new cast of characters and a distinct visual style. Job listings, such as a November 2023 posting for a Senior Combat Designer, hinted at the development of challenging new machines designed for multiplayer combat. A recent January 2025 job posting for a Senior Platform Engineer revealed Guerrilla Games' anticipation of a player base exceeding one million, suggesting a large-scale online experience. This project, however, is being developed internally by Sony, separate from NCSoft's cancelled effort.

Sony and NCSoft's Strategic Partnership

On November 28, 2023, Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE) announced a strategic global partnership with NCSoft, combining NCSoft's technological expertise with Sony's global entertainment reach. This collaboration aims to expand PlayStation's presence beyond consoles and into new markets. While the cancellation of the NCSoft Horizon MMORPG is disappointing, this partnership opens doors for potential future collaborations and the possibility of bringing other Sony titles to mobile platforms.