Horizon MMO Canceled by NCSoft

News broke recently about the cancellation of an upcoming Horizon MMORPG, codenamed "H," following the departure of several key developers from NCSoft. Let's delve into the details.

NCSoft Cancels Horizon MMORPG and Other Projects

According to a January 13, 2025 report from South Korean news outlet MTN, NCSoft has canceled several projects, including the anticipated Horizon MMORPG. This decision comes as part of a broader "feasibility review" by the company, a prominent South Korean developer and publisher known for the Lineage and Guild Wars MMORPG franchises. Besides "Project H," another project codenamed "J" has also reportedly been canceled, while "Pantera" (or "Raising Lineage") remains under review.

The MTN report further states that the developers originally assigned to "Project H" have left NCSoft. Remaining team members have reportedly been 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, leaving open the possibility of another publisher or development team picking up the project.

It's worth noting that Guerrilla Games is independently developing a separate Horizon multiplayer game, known as the "Online Project."

Guerrilla Games' Ongoing Horizon "Online Project"

Guerrilla Games publicly announced their work on a Horizon online project in a December 16, 2022, Twitter (X) post. They are actively recruiting developers in Amsterdam to build "a separate Online Project set in Horizon’s universe," featuring "a new cast of characters and a unique stylized look."

A November 2023 job listing for a Senior Combat Designer revealed details about designing "multiple machine enemies" to challenge groups of players, further hinting at a multiplayer focus. A more recent job posting, in January 2025, for a Senior Platform Engineer, specifies the need for experience with "1M+ globally distributed systems," suggesting an anticipated player base of at least one million. This project, still without an official announcement, is likely a Sony-internal development, distinct from the now-canceled NCSoft effort.

Sony and NCSoft's Partnership

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