Horizon MMO Canceled by NCSoft

NCSoft Scraps Horizon MMORPG "Project H"

NCSoft's ambitious Horizon MMORPG, internally codenamed "H," has been canceled, according to a January 13, 2025 report from South Korean news outlet MTN. The cancellation follows a company-wide "feasibility review" resulting in the termination of several projects. The report also indicates that key developers working on "Project H" departed NCSoft, with remaining team members reassigned to other projects. The removal of "Project H" and another canceled project, codenamed "J," from NCSoft's organizational chart further solidifies the cancellation.

While NCSoft and Sony have yet to officially comment, the news raises questions about the future of the Horizon IP in the MMORPG space. The fate of "Project H's" assets and whether another developer will acquire them remains unknown.

Guerrilla Games' Separate Horizon Online Project Remains Active

Separately, Guerrilla Games continues development on its own Horizon online project, first announced in December 2022. Job postings throughout 2023 and into 2025, including roles for Senior Combat Designer and Senior Platform Engineer, suggest a large-scale multiplayer experience targeting over one million players. The project, currently unnamed, features a new cast of characters and unique visual style, and is likely a Sony-led initiative distinct from the now-canceled NCSoft project.

Sony and NCSoft's Strategic Partnership

The cancellation of "Project H" comes against the backdrop of Sony Interactive Entertainment's (SIE) November 28, 2023 announcement of a strategic global partnership with NCSoft. This collaboration aims to leverage NCSoft's technological expertise and SIE's global reach to expand PlayStation's presence beyond consoles and into new markets. While "Project H" didn't materialize, this partnership could pave the way for future collaborations bringing other Sony titles to mobile platforms.