"Horizon Hunters Gathering" Announced: A New Multiplayer Adventure in the Horizon Universe
Sony and Guerrilla Games have officially unveiled "Horizon Hunters Gathering," a new live-service multiplayer game set to launch on PlayStation 5 and PC. This marks an expansion of the beloved Horizon universe into the realm of co-operative online play.
Playtest and Release Details
A closed playtest, described as "small-scale," is slated for late February. Enthusiastic players can register for participation through the PlayStation Beta Program. The game will feature both crossplay and cross-progression, allowing players across platforms to team up and carry their progress. Specific information regarding a release date or its pricing model (free-to-play or premium) has not yet been disclosed.
A Fresh Look: Cartoon Art Style
Departing from the established photorealistic visuals of the main series, "Horizon Hunters Gathering" adopts a distinct cartoon art style. This artistic choice aims to deliver a lighter, more approachable experience, contrasting with the more serious tones found in "Zero Dawn" and "Forbidden West."
Tactical Co-op Gameplay
Game director Arjan Bak detailed the core gameplay, where players will engage in tactical three-player co-op combat against the iconic machines of the Horizon world. Hunters will need to adapt their strategies for various missions.
"The combat is tactical, reactive, and skill-based, building upon the precision mechanics of previous Horizon titles while emphasizing team dynamics."
The central gameplay loop revolves around challenging and highly replayable hunts, designed to test team coordination and individual skill.
Confirmed Game Modes
Two distinct game modes have been confirmed and will be available for testing during the upcoming closed playtest:
- Machine Incursion: A high-intensity mission where waves of machines emerge from underground gateways, culminating in a climactic encounter with a formidable boss.
- Cauldron Descent: A multi-stage trial featuring evolving rooms that challenge Hunters, incorporating diverse machine encounters and hidden areas that promise power and valuable rewards.
Hunters, Progression, and Lore
The game introduces a roster of unique Hunters, each offering distinct melee or ranged playstyles and a variety of weapon options. A rogue-lite perk system is implemented, allowing players to craft customized builds and adapt their strategies. Furthermore, a narrative campaign will introduce new mysteries, characters, and threats. This campaign is confirmed to be fully canonical, with its story continuing to evolve beyond the game's initial launch.
The "Hunters Gathering" Social Hub
The central social space, also named "Hunters Gathering," serves as a vibrant hub for players. Here, they can connect with others, prepare for upcoming missions, and celebrate their accomplishments. Within this hub, players can customize their Hunters, interact with vendors, upgrade their gear, and easily form teams for their next adventures.
The Expanding Horizon Universe
"Horizon Hunters Gathering" is just one of several projects currently underway within the expansive Horizon universe. NCSoft and Sony are also developing "Horizon Steel Frontiers," a massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) for mobile devices and PC. Additionally, "Horizon 3" is reportedly in the early stages of development, and a live-action "Horizon Zero Dawn" movie is scheduled to begin filming this year, with an anticipated release in 2027.