NCSoft Cancels Horizon MMO

News broke recently that an upcoming Horizon MMORPG, codenamed "H," has been canceled by NCSoft following the departure of key developers. 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—the renowned developer and publisher behind the Lineage and Guild Wars franchises—canceled several projects, including the anticipated Horizon MMORPG. This decision stems from an internal "feasibility review." Besides "Project H," another project codenamed "J" was also reportedly canceled, while "Pantera" (or "Raising Lineage") remains under review.

The MTN report further states that developers working on "Project H" left NCSoft. Those remaining were reportedly reassigned to other company projects. The removal of "H" and "J" from NCSoft's organizational chart serves as further confirmation of their cancellation. While neither Sony nor NCSoft have issued an official statement, the future of "Project H" remains uncertain, with the possibility of another team picking up the project's remnants.

Despite this setback for a potential Horizon MMORPG, Guerrilla Games is actively pursuing a different Horizon online experience.

Guerrilla Games' Horizon "Online Project" Remains in Development

Guerrilla Games publicly announced their plans for a separate online Horizon project in a December 16, 2022, Twitter (X) post. The post highlighted the search for developers to join their Amsterdam team, promising a unique experience featuring "a new cast of characters and a unique stylized look."

A November 2023 job listing for a Senior Combat Designer revealed further details, specifying the need for enemy designs that would challenge multiple players simultaneously, hinting at a larger-scale multiplayer experience. Recent job postings, including one for a Senior Platform Engineer in January 2025, suggest Guerrilla Games anticipates a player base of over one million for this unnamed project. This ambitious scale, combined with the focus on scalable systems, suggests a significant online undertaking.

Sony and NCSoft's Partnership: Implications for the Future

On November 28, 2023, Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE) announced a strategic global partnership with NCSoft, aiming to leverage NCSoft's technological expertise and Sony's global reach. While the canceled Horizon MMORPG is a setback, this partnership opens doors for potential collaborations on other Sony titles, potentially bringing them to mobile platforms. The future of Horizon in the online space remains bright, albeit with a different developer at the helm.