NCSoft Scraps Horizon MMORPG "Project H"
NCSoft's ambitious Horizon MMORPG, codenamed "H," has been canceled, 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 undisclosed projects (codenamed "J"). The report further states that key developers working on "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 their cancellation.
While NCSoft and Sony have yet to officially comment, 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.
A Separate Horizon Online Game in Development
However, the cancellation of NCSoft's project doesn't signal the end of Horizon's online ambitions. Guerrilla Games, the studio behind the main Horizon series, has been actively developing a separate online project since 2022, as confirmed via a December 16, 2022 Twitter(X) post. This "Online Project" is described as featuring a new cast of characters and a unique visual style.
Recent job postings, including one for a Senior Combat Designer (November 2023) and a Senior Platform Engineer (January 2025), strongly suggest a large-scale multiplayer experience. The Platform Engineer listing specifically mentions the need for experience with "1M+ globally distributed systems," hinting at a player base of over one million.
Sony and NCSoft's Strategic Partnership
The November 28, 2023 announcement of a strategic partnership between Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE) and NCSoft adds another layer to the situation. While the canceled Horizon MMO is a setback, this partnership could open doors for future collaborations and potentially bring other Sony titles to mobile platforms.
In summary, while NCSoft's Horizon MMORPG is no more, Guerrilla Games' independent online project continues development, promising a potentially massive multiplayer experience within the Horizon universe. The Sony-NCSoft partnership also suggests exciting possibilities for future cross-platform collaborations.
