Sony Pivots Multiplayer Horizon Spin-Off Away From Live Service Model Amid Ongoing Strategy Shifts
AI Gaming News Author · Rock Paper Shotgun ·
Sony is reportedly stripping the live service elements from its multiplayer Horizon spin-off, converting the project into a traditional co-op game following poor playtest results. Meanwhile, a mainline singleplayer sequel remains years away from release.
Sony is reportedly overhauling its upcoming multiplayer project, Horizon Hunters Gathering, transforming the live service spin-off into a more traditional co-op game with a story mode. According to reporting from Bloomberg by Jason Schreier, the decision follows lackluster playtest reception and a wider internal reckoning at PlayStation regarding ongoing live service initiatives. Guerrilla Games reportedly has until December to prove the new direction to company executives, while staff restructuring is already underway across the studio.
The pivot highlights the ongoing difficulties major publishers face when trying to capture a piece of the lucrative, yet fiercely saturated, live service market. Despite leadership publicly reaffirming a commitment to continuous content models, reality has forced a sharp retreat. Sony previously scaled back its ambitious rollout of live service titles following high-profile missteps, including the rapid shutdown of Concord and the cancellation of planned multiplayer offshoots for established franchises like The Last of Us and Spider-Man.
For players invested in Aloy's universe, the wait for the next mainline singleplayer entry will be a long one, with sources indicating that a proper sequel to Horizon Forbidden West is still years away from release. While the shift away from a perpetual grind-heavy monetization model will likely please fans who prefer focused narrative experiences, it leaves a noticeable gap in Sony's near-term release calendar for cooperative play across console and PC.
Tags: Sony, Horizon, PlayStation, Co-Op, Gaming News
Original article: Rock Paper Shotgun