NCSoft Scraps Horizon MMORPG "Project H"
NCSoft's ambitious Horizon MMORPG, internally known as "Project H," has been canceled, according to a January 13, 2025 report from South Korean news outlet MTN. The cancellation follows a company-wide "feasibility review" impacting multiple projects. The report also states that key developers working on "Project H" departed NCSoft, with remaining team members reassigned to other projects. The removal of "Project H" (and another project, codenamed "J") from NCSoft's organizational chart further solidifies the cancellation. While neither Sony nor NCSoft have issued official statements, the news suggests a significant shift in NCSoft's development strategy.
Guerrilla Games' "Online Project" Remains Active
Despite the setback with NCSoft's "Project H," Guerrilla Games continues development on its own Horizon online project, announced in December 2022. Job postings, including one for a Senior Combat Designer in November 2023 and a recent listing for a Senior Platform Engineer, indicate ongoing progress. The Senior Platform Engineer role specifically mentions a target of over one million players, hinting at a large-scale online experience. This suggests a distinct project from NCSoft's cancelled effort, potentially a Sony-led initiative.
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 of complexity. While "Project H" is no longer in development, this collaboration opens doors for future projects, potentially bringing Sony titles to mobile platforms. The partnership's focus on expanding reach and creating high-quality experiences suggests a broader shift in both companies' gaming strategies.
The future of Horizon in the MMO space remains uncertain, but Guerrilla Games' continued development of their online project offers a glimmer of hope for fans eager to explore the Horizon universe in a multiplayer setting. The impact of NCSoft's cancellations and the Sony-NCSoft partnership on the broader gaming landscape remains to be seen.
