NCSoft Scraps Horizon MMORPG "Project H"
News broke on January 13, 2025, via South Korean news outlet MTN, that NCSoft had canceled several projects, including a Horizon MMORPG codenamed "H." This decision follows a company-wide "feasibility review," impacting multiple titles. Alongside "Project H," another game, codenamed "J," was also reportedly canceled, while "Pantera" (or "Raising Lineage") remains under evaluation.
The report further stated that key developers working on "Project H" departed NCSoft. Remaining team members have reportedly been 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 developer picking up the project remains open.
Guerrilla Games' Separate Horizon Online Project Remains Active
Despite the NCSoft cancellation, Guerrilla Games continues development on their own separate Horizon online project, announced December 16, 2022. This project, distinct from the NCSoft effort, is described as featuring "a new cast of characters and a unique stylized look." Job postings, including one for a Senior Combat Designer (November 2023) and a Senior Platform Engineer (January 2025), highlight the game's ongoing development and ambitious scale, suggesting a player base exceeding one million. The recent engineering posting strongly indicates a focus on robust, globally distributed online infrastructure.
Sony and NCSoft's Strategic Partnership
The November 28, 2023 announcement of a strategic partnership between Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE) and NCSoft adds another layer of complexity. This collaboration aims to leverage NCSoft's technological expertise and SIE's global reach. While the cancellation of the Horizon MMORPG is a setback, this partnership could open doors for other Sony titles to expand into mobile gaming.
In conclusion, while the NCSoft Horizon MMORPG has been canceled, Guerrilla Games' independent online project continues to progress. The future implications of the Sony-NCSoft partnership remain to be seen.
