Sony’s Horizon Zero Dawn MMO Reportedly Cancelled as Live-Service Strategy Faces Major Shakeups

Sony’s PlayStation division has been pursuing a live-service strategy for several years, but recent developments suggest big changes are underway. Following the failure of the Concord project, reports indicate that another significant game has been canceled. This time, it’s an unannounced massively multiplayer online (MMO) game set in the beloved Horizon Zero Dawn universe.

Horizon MMO Cancellation Tied to NCSoft Collaboration

Rumors about Sony collaborating with South Korean developer NCSoft, the team behind popular MMORPGs like Lineage and Guild Wars, first surfaced in 2022. At the time, the Horizon MMO project was said to be in its early stages of development. In late 2023, Sony officially announced its strategic partnership with NCSoft, which many fans took as confirmation of the earlier rumors.

However, a report from South Korean news outlet MTN (via Insider-Gaming) reveals that NCSoft has recently shut down multiple projects, including the Horizon MMO. According to the report, the MMO was codenamed “Project H” and was one of three projects canceled by the studio, alongside “Project Pantera” and “Project J.”

Developers who had been working on the Horizon MMO are reportedly either leaving NCSoft or being reassigned to other projects within the company, signaling the end of this ambitious attempt to expand the Horizon Zero Dawn universe into the MMO genre.

Broader Implications for Sony’s Live-Service Efforts

The cancellation of the Horizon MMO comes amidst broader turbulence in Sony’s live-service strategy. Just last week, Sony revealed that it was pulling the plug on two unannounced live-service projects from its first-party studios, following an internal “review” of their progress. Reports suggest that Bend Studio and Bluepoint Games were behind these canceled projects, with one of them rumored to be based on the God of War franchise.

Sony had originally outlined plans to release 10 live-service PlayStation titles by 2026. However, the viability of this goal now appears uncertain. Despite these setbacks, some live-service projects are still in the works, including Bungie’s extraction shooter Marathon and a rumored MOBA game. Guerrilla Games is also reportedly developing a multiplayer project internally, while Fairgame$, a head-to-head heisting game, is expected to launch soon.

What’s Next for Sony’s Strategy?

Sony’s pivot toward live-service gaming has been met with skepticism, and the recent cancellations may indicate a rethinking of the strategy. Whether the company continues to pursue this direction or scales back remains unclear. Fans of the Horizon Zero Dawn universe will no doubt be disappointed by the loss of the MMO project, as it represented an exciting opportunity to explore the franchise in a new format.

As Sony navigates the challenges of live-service gaming, its future plans are sure to draw close scrutiny from fans and industry analysts alike.

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