NCSoft's Cancellation of the Horizon MMORPG, Codenamed "H"
News broke on January 13, 2025, via South Korean news outlet MTN, that NCSoft had cancelled several projects, including a highly anticipated Horizon MMORPG internally designated "H." This decision followed a company-wide "feasibility review." NCSoft, a major player in the MMORPG market (known for the Lineage and Guild Wars franchises), cited this review as the reason for halting development. Along with "H," another project codenamed "J" was also reportedly cancelled, while "Pantera" (or "Raising Lineage") remains under evaluation.
The MTN report also revealed that key developers working on "Project H" had departed NCSoft. Remaining team members have reportedly been reassigned to other company projects. The removal of "H" and "J" from NCSoft's organizational chart further solidifies the cancellation.
While neither Sony nor NCSoft have issued official statements regarding this news, the future of "Project H" remains uncertain. It's unknown whether another publisher or development team might acquire the project's assets and continue its development.
However, a separate Horizon multiplayer game is still under development.
Guerrilla Games' Ongoing Horizon "Online Project"
Guerrilla Games, the studio behind the main Horizon series, confirmed its work on a separate online project within the Horizon universe in a December 16, 2022, Twitter (X) post. This "Online Project" features a new cast of characters and a distinct visual style.
Job listings, such as a November 2023 posting for a Senior Combat Designer, hinted at the game's multiplayer nature, mentioning the design of challenging machine enemies for multiple players. A more recent January 2025 job posting for a Senior Platform Engineer indicates the game anticipates a player base exceeding one million, suggesting a large-scale online experience.
The Sony-NCSoft Partnership
The November 28, 2023, announcement of a strategic partnership between Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE) and NCSoft adds another layer to the situation. This collaboration aims to leverage NCSoft's technological expertise and SIE's global reach. While the cancelled Horizon MMORPG is a setback, this partnership could open doors for other Sony titles to reach mobile platforms.
The cancellation of "Project H" is disappointing news for fans, but the continued development of Guerrilla Games' online project and the broader Sony-NCSoft partnership suggest a dynamic future for the Horizon franchise and the gaming landscape as a whole.
