In a surprising turn of events, Guerrilla Games is reportedly overhauling its highly anticipated live-service Horizon multiplayer experience, codenamed “Horizon Hunters Gathering.” According to a recent report from Bloomberg“>Bloomberg, the game is undergoing a major reboot aimed at removing its live-service elements and transforming it into a more traditional cooperative multiplayer adventure. This news comes after what sources describe as negative player feedback during early testing phases of the original concept.
A New Direction for Horizon Multiplayer
The core change involves shifting away from the planned live-service model and focusing on a more streamlined, story-driven cooperative experience. This means players can expect a tighter narrative arc and a smaller overall scope compared to what was initially envisioned. The report indicates that the development team has been “working to reboot the game since June,” highlighting the significant overhaul currently underway.
However, this dramatic shift comes with a deadline. The report states that Guerrilla Games now has until December to “impress executives” and secure continued funding for the project. This pressure cooker environment also means some developers previously assigned to “Horizon Hunters Gathering” are being “reassigned to a different project,” likely one deemed more strategically important by Sony.
Adding another layer of intrigue, sources suggest that a “tiny team” within Guerrilla is already “plotting out the next single-player Horizon game.” While this offers a glimmer of hope for fans eager for a new mainline entry in Aloy’s story, it also underscores the long road ahead. The report explicitly states that this next-generation Horizon title is “years away” from release.
What Was Horizon Hunters Gathering Supposed To Be?
Announced earlier this year, “Horizon Hunters Gathering” promised a unique multiplayer experience set within the familiar world of Horizon. The game was designed to accommodate up to three players working together to combat the iconic machines that populate the franchise. Early previews showcased a visually distinct aesthetic, leaning towards a more vibrant and stylized look reminiscent of games like Fortnite.
Guerrilla had previously described the gameplay as “tactical, reactive, and deeply skill-based,” emphasizing the importance of teamwork and strategic combat. However, with this major reboot, it remains to be seen how much of that original vision will survive. The removal of live-service elements suggests a significant departure from the initially planned experience.
Sony’s Live-Service Struggles
This news arrives amidst a broader context of Sony reassessing its approach to live-service games. Like many other gaming giants, PlayStation has invested heavily in this potentially lucrative market, but not all ventures have yielded positive results. Initially planning for a dozen live-service titles, Sony later halved that number“>scaled back its ambitions, prioritizing quality over quantity.
Several high-profile projects have already been canceled, including the ambitious The Last of Us Online“>multiplayer spin-off and planned live-service iterations of both God of War and a title from Bend Studio. While successes like Helldivers 2, which has already surpassed 20 million copies sold, demonstrate the potential of the market, other projects like Concord failed to gain traction and were quickly shut down. The future of Fairgame$, following a series of key staff departures, also remains uncertain.
Source: GameSpot
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