Horizon MMO Canceled by NCSoft

NCSoft Scraps Horizon MMORPG "Project H"

News broke on January 13, 2025, via South Korean news outlet MTN, that NCSoft had cancelled several projects, including a highly anticipated Horizon MMORPG codenamed "H." This decision follows a company-wide "feasibility review" of its development pipeline. NCSoft, known for its Lineage and Guild Wars franchises, cited the review as the reason for halting development. The cancellation of "Project H" was further confirmed by its removal from the company's organizational chart, and reports indicate that developers assigned to the project have either left NCSoft or been reassigned to other projects.

Another project, codenamed "J," also reportedly faced cancellation, while the fate of "Pantera" (or "Raising Lineage") remains uncertain, pending further review. No official statement has been released by NCSoft or Sony regarding this development. The possibility of another developer or publisher picking up the project remains unknown.

Separate Horizon Online Project in Development

Despite the cancellation of the NCSoft project, Guerrilla Games continues development on a separate Horizon online multiplayer game, internally referred to as the "Online Project." This project, announced via a Twitter (X) post in December 2022, is being developed in Amsterdam and will feature a new cast of characters and a unique visual style.

Job postings from November 2023 and January 2025 reveal further details. The search for a Senior Combat Designer highlighted the creation of challenging new machines designed for multiplayer combat, suggesting a larger-scale experience. A subsequent listing for a Senior Platform Engineer indicated an anticipated player base of over one million, hinting at a significant online presence.

Sony and NCSoft Partnership

The recent strategic partnership between Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE) and NCSoft, announced November 28, 2023, adds another layer to the situation. While the Horizon MMORPG didn't materialize, this collaboration could open doors for future Sony titles to reach mobile platforms. The partnership aims to expand both companies' reach and create impactful gaming experiences.