NCSoft Pulls the Plug on Horizon MMO

NCSoft's Cancellation of Horizon MMORPG Project "H"

News outlet MTN reported on January 13, 2025, that NCSoft cancelled multiple projects, including a Horizon MMORPG codenamed "H," following a company-wide feasibility review. This decision follows the departure of key developers from NCSoft. The company also reportedly cancelled a project codenamed "J," while "Pantera" (or "Raising Lineage") remains under evaluation. Projects "H" and "J" have been removed from NCSoft's organizational chart.

While neither Sony nor NCSoft have issued official statements regarding this report, the future of "Project H" remains uncertain. The possibility of another publisher or development team taking over the project is currently unknown.

Guerrilla Games' Parallel Horizon Online Project

Separately, Guerrilla Games continues development on its own Horizon online project, internally referred to as the "Online Project." This project, announced via a Twitter (X) post on December 16, 2022, will feature new characters and a unique visual style.

Job postings, including one for a Senior Combat Designer in November 2023 and a recent listing for a Senior Platform Engineer, suggest a large-scale multiplayer experience is in the works, potentially targeting over one million players. The Senior Platform Engineer listing specifically mentions experience with globally distributed systems, hinting at a significant online infrastructure.

Sony and NCSoft's Strategic Partnership

The strategic partnership announced on November 28, 2023, between Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE) and NCSoft aims to leverage NCSoft's technological expertise and SIE's global reach. While the cancelled Horizon MMORPG is a setback, this partnership opens avenues for future collaborations, potentially bringing Sony titles to mobile platforms.