Horizon MMO Canceled by NCSoft

NCSoft's Cancellation of Horizon MMORPG Project "H"

News broke on January 13, 2025, via South Korean news outlet MTN, that NCSoft had cancelled several projects, including a Horizon MMORPG internally codenamed "H." This decision followed a company-wide "feasibility review." NCSoft, a major South Korean developer known for the Lineage and Guild Wars franchises, also reportedly cancelled projects codenamed "J," while "Pantera" (or "Raising Lineage") remains under evaluation.

The MTN report further indicated that key developers working on "Project H" departed NCSoft. Remaining team members were reassigned to other company projects. The removal of "H" and "J" from NCSoft's organizational chart serves as further confirmation of their cancellation. While Sony and NCSoft have yet to officially comment, the future of "Project H" remains uncertain. The possibility of another developer picking up the project remains open.

Guerrilla Games' Ongoing Horizon "Online Project"

Meanwhile, Guerrilla Games continues development on a separate Horizon multiplayer game, referred to as the "Online Project." This project, confirmed via a December 16, 2022, Twitter (X) post, will feature a new cast of characters and a distinctive visual style.

A November 2023 job listing for a Senior Combat Designer highlighted the development of new, challenging machines designed for multiplayer combat, suggesting a larger-scale experience. A recent January 2025 job posting for a Senior Platform Engineer revealed Guerrilla Games anticipates a player base exceeding one million, further solidifying the scale of their ambitions.

Sony and NCSoft's Strategic Partnership

The November 28, 2023, announcement of a strategic partnership between Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE) and NCSoft raises interesting possibilities. This collaboration aims to leverage NCSoft's technological expertise and SIE's global reach. While a Horizon MMORPG from NCSoft may not materialize, this partnership could pave the way for other Sony titles to expand into the mobile market.

Jim Ryan, President and CEO of SIE, stated that the partnership will help broaden PlayStation's reach to a wider audience. The future of online multiplayer gaming within the Sony ecosystem, and potentially collaborations beyond the Horizon franchise, remains an exciting prospect.