Horizon Franchise Shifts Toward Multiplayer with New Titles

The Horizon franchise, known for its single-player adventures featuring protagonist Aloy, is undergoing a significant transformation with the introduction of multiplayer elements. Guerrilla Games studio director Jan-Bart van Beek revealed that the series was originally conceived with multiplayer in mind. This shift is exemplified by the recent announcement of Horizon Steel Frontiers, a massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) developed in collaboration with NCSoft. Unlike previous titles, Steel Frontiers will be available exclusively on PC and mobile devices, marking a departure from the franchise's PlayStation roots.

Horizon Franchise Was Created With Multiplayer In Mind, Says Guerrilla Games Boss

Horizon Steel Frontiers is set in the Horizon universe, specifically in a new area called the Deadlands, inspired by Arizona and New Mexico. Players will take on the role of machine hunters, engaging in large-scale raids and cooperative gameplay reminiscent of the Monster Hunter series. Van Beek emphasized that the game aims to create a shared experience where players can collaborate or compete against each other. The combat mechanics will differ from previous entries, focusing on managing distance and quick decision-making during encounters with formidable machines.

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In addition to Steel Frontiers, Guerrilla Games is reportedly developing another multiplayer title within the Horizon franchise, separate from the NCSoft project. This upcoming game is expected to be a co-op-focused experience, although specific details remain undisclosed. Industry insider Jason Schreier confirmed that this new multiplayer game is Guerrilla's next major project, separate from the MMORPG.

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Jan-Bart van Beek stated, “From the first moment we imagined Horizon, we always thought about it as a multiplayer game,” highlighting the studio's long-term vision for the franchise. He also noted that LEGO Horizon Adventures served as an initial foray into multiplayer, with Steel Frontiers representing a more significant step forward. Executive Producer Sung-Gu Lee added that the combat experience in Steel Frontiers is designed to be optimized for multiplayer, maintaining the tension and excitement of the original series while adapting to a new format.

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While the shift to multiplayer has been met with excitement, some fans of the original series express concern over the departure from the single-player narrative that defined the franchise. The absence of a PlayStation 5 version for Steel Frontiers has also raised questions about the future of the franchise on Sony's flagship console.

Horizon Steel Frontiers MMO announced for mobile, PC, no PS5

As the Horizon franchise expands into multiplayer territory, fans can anticipate further announcements regarding both Steel Frontiers and the separate multiplayer title in development. The evolution of the series reflects a broader trend in gaming, where multiplayer experiences are increasingly prioritized alongside traditional single-player narratives.

Horizon Steel Frontiers MMO announced for mobile, PC, no PS5