News broke recently that an upcoming Horizon MMORPG, codenamed "H," has been canceled by NCSoft following the departure of key developers. Let's delve into the details surrounding this cancelled project.

NCSoft Cancels Horizon MMORPG and Other Projects

South Korean news outlet MTN reported on January 13, 2025, that NCSoft, a major developer and publisher known for the Lineage and Guild Wars series, canceled several projects, including the anticipated Horizon MMORPG. The cancellations stem from an internal "feasibility review." Besides "Project H," a project codenamed "J" was also reportedly axed, while another, "Pantera" or "Raising Lineage," remains under review.

MTN further reported that the developers working on "Project H" left 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. It's unknown if another publisher or development team will take up the project.

However, the cancellation doesn't entirely dim the prospects for a Horizon online experience. Guerrilla Games is actively developing a separate Horizon multiplayer game.

Guerrilla Games' Horizon "Online Project" Remains in Development

Guerrilla Games publicly announced their intention to create a Horizon online project in a December 16, 2022, Twitter (X) post. They've been actively recruiting developers for "a separate Online Project set in Horizon’s universe," featuring "a new cast of characters and a unique stylized look."

A November 2023 job listing for a Senior Combat Designer highlighted the development of "multiple machine enemies that provide a variety of challenges against multiple players," suggesting larger, more formidable threats designed for multiplayer combat.

Further solidifying their commitment, a recent job posting in January 2025 for a Senior Platform Engineer specifies the need for experience with "building and operating multi-service, 1M+ globally distributed systems," indicating an anticipated player base of over one million. While details remain scarce, this project appears to be internally developed by Sony, separate from the NCSoft endeavor.

Sony and NCSoft's Partnership

Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE) announced a "strategic global partnership" with NCSoft on November 28, 2023, aiming to leverage NCSoft's technology and SIE's global reach. Jim Ryan, President and CEO of SIE, stated that the partnership would expand PlayStation's presence beyond consoles. While the canceled Horizon MMORPG is a setback, this partnership opens possibilities for future collaborations, potentially bringing other Sony titles to mobile platforms.