Horizon MMO Canceled by NCSoft

NCSoft Scraps Horizon MMORPG "Project H"

NCSoft's ambitious Horizon MMORPG, internally codenamed "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" resulting in the termination of several projects. The report also indicates that key developers assigned to "Project H" have departed NCSoft, with remaining team members reassigned to other projects. The removal of "Project H" and another canceled project, codenamed "J," from NCSoft's organizational chart further solidifies the cancellation.

While NCSoft and Sony have yet to officially comment, the news raises questions about the future of the Horizon IP in the MMORPG space. The possibility of another developer picking up the project remains uncertain.

Guerrilla Games' Separate Horizon Online Project Remains Active

Despite the NCSoft cancellation, Guerrilla Games, the creators of the Horizon franchise, are actively developing a separate online project within the Horizon universe, confirmed via a December 16, 2022, Twitter (X) post. This project, currently untitled, features a new cast of characters and a distinct visual style.

Recent job postings, including one for a Senior Combat Designer (November 2023) and a Senior Platform Engineer (January 2025), reveal details about the game's development. The focus on designing challenging encounters for multiple players, along with the expectation of over one million players, suggests a large-scale online experience. This project, however, is being internally developed by Sony, not NCSoft.

Sony and NCSoft Partnership: Implications for the Future

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 gone, this collaboration could open doors for other Sony titles to transition to mobile platforms. The partnership highlights Sony's ambition to expand its reach beyond consoles.

The cancellation of "Project H" is a setback for fans anticipating a Horizon MMORPG, but Guerrilla Games' ongoing efforts and the Sony-NCSoft partnership suggest a dynamic future for the Horizon franchise, albeit potentially in different forms than initially envisioned.