Horizon MMO Canceled by NCSoft

NCSoft Scraps Horizon MMORPG "Project H"

News broke on January 13, 2025, via South Korean news outlet MTN, that NCSoft has canceled several projects, including a highly anticipated Horizon MMORPG, codenamed "H." This follows a company-wide "feasibility review" resulting in the termination of multiple games. Alongside "Project H," another title, codenamed "J," was also reportedly canceled, while "Pantera" (or "Raising Lineage") remains under evaluation.

The report further indicates that key developers working on "Project H" have departed NCSoft. Remaining team members are reportedly being 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 official statements, the future of "Project H" remains uncertain. The possibility of another publisher or development team taking over remains speculative.

Guerrilla Games' Separate Horizon Online Project Remains Active

Separately, Guerrilla Games continues development on its own Horizon online project, initially announced via a Twitter (X) post on December 16, 2022. This project, distinct from the NCSoft endeavor, promises a new cast of characters and a unique visual style.

Job postings, including one for a Senior Combat Designer in November 2023, highlight the development of challenging new machines designed for multiplayer combat. A recent listing for a Senior Platform Engineer further suggests a substantial player base is anticipated, potentially exceeding one million players. However, official details remain scarce.

Sony and NCSoft's Strategic Partnership

The cancellation of "Project H" comes against the backdrop of Sony Interactive Entertainment's (SIE) strategic partnership with NCSoft, announced November 28, 2023. This collaboration aims to leverage NCSoft's technological expertise and SIE's global reach. While a Horizon MMORPG through this partnership is no longer in the cards, the alliance may pave the way for other Sony titles to reach mobile platforms.