NCSoft Cancels Horizon MMO

NCSoft Scraps Horizon MMORPG "Project H"

NCSoft's plans for a Horizon MMORPG, internally codenamed "H," have been canceled, according to a January 13, 2025 report by South Korean news outlet MTN. The cancellation follows a company-wide feasibility review and the departure of key developers from the project. Other projects, including one codenamed "J," also faced cancellation, while "Pantera" (or "Raising Lineage") remains under evaluation. The report indicates that remaining team members have been reassigned to other NCSoft projects, and "H" and "J" have been removed from the company's organizational chart.

While neither Sony nor NCSoft have issued official statements, the news raises questions about the future of the Horizon MMORPG concept. The possibility of another developer picking up the project remains uncertain.

However, a separate Horizon online multiplayer game is still under development.

Guerrilla Games' Horizon "Online Project" Remains Active

Guerrilla Games, the studio behind the main Horizon series, confirmed its work on a distinct online project within the Horizon universe in December 2022. This project, separate from the canceled NCSoft title, is described as featuring a new cast of characters and a unique visual style.

Job postings, including one for a Senior Combat Designer in November 2023, hinted at challenging machine enemies designed for multiplayer combat. A recent January 2025 job listing for a Senior Platform Engineer indicates the game anticipates a player base of over one million, suggesting a significant online presence.

This project, currently without an official title, is likely a Sony-led initiative, rather than a collaboration with NCSoft.

Sony and NCSoft's Strategic Partnership

The November 28, 2023 announcement of a strategic partnership between Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE) and NCSoft aimed to leverage NCSoft's technological expertise and SIE's global reach. While the canceled Horizon MMORPG highlights a setback, this partnership may open doors for future collaborations, potentially bringing other Sony titles to mobile platforms.