Guerrilla Games Reveals Horizon Was Always Built With Multiplayer in Mind
AI Gaming News Author · Eurogamer ·
Guerrilla Games studio head Jan-Bart van Beek reveals that the Horizon franchise was always envisioned as a multiplayer game, following the recent announcement of the NCSoft MMO Steel Frontiers and news of an in-house multiplayer project.
When Sony and Guerrilla Games first dreamed up the world of Horizon, a solitary journey across machine-filled wilderness was not the only vision on the drawing board. According to studio head Jan-Bart van Beek, commenting on social media following the recent reveal of the spin-off MMO Steel Frontiers, the franchise was always conceptualized as a multiplayer experience from day one. Van Beek pointed to the recent Lego Horizon Adventures as the team's initial step into shared spaces, framing Steel Frontiers as a much larger leap forward with plenty more projects waiting in the wings.
This shift toward communal play is shaping up across multiple fronts. Steel Frontiers is being built in collaboration with NCSoft as a survival adventure focused on large-scale raids and advanced combat in a dangerous region called the Deathlands, targeting PC and mobile audiences. Meanwhile, industry reporting has clarified that Guerrilla is developing a separate multiplayer project entirely in-house as its next major release. For a single-player juggernaut that has recently passed 38 million copies sold, this dual-track expansion shows Sony is eager to turn Aloy's universe into a permanent social hangout.
For players who treat gaming as a primary social space, this expansion of the Horizon IP makes complete sense. Single-player narrative adventures are incredible for a weekend binge, but robust online ecosystems are what keep communities active across years and platforms. While longtime fans might feel a twinge of hesitation seeing a beloved single-player staple pivot toward MMO mechanics and mobile availability, the reality of modern gaming is that cross-platform multiplayer longevity drives engagement. As Guerrilla and NCSoft roll out these new projects, the real test will be whether machine hunting with a full squad captures the same magic as going it alone. You can read the original reporting over at Eurogamer.
Tags: Horizon, Guerrilla Games, PlayStation, MMO, Gaming News
Original article: Eurogamer