Horizon MMO Canceled by NCSoft

NCSoft Scraps Horizon MMORPG "Project H"

News broke on January 13, 2025, via South Korean news outlet MTN, that NCSoft has canceled several projects, including a highly anticipated Horizon MMORPG, codenamed "H." This decision follows a company-wide "feasibility review." NCSoft, known for its Lineage and Guild Wars franchises, cited the review as the reason for halting development. The report also indicates that another project, codenamed "J," has also been terminated, while "Pantera" (or "Raising Lineage") remains under evaluation.

The cancellation of "Project H" is further substantiated by reports that key developers involved in the project have left NCSoft. Remaining team members are reportedly being reassigned to other company projects. The removal of "H" and "J" from NCSoft's organizational chart serves as additional confirmation of their cancellation.

While neither Sony nor NCSoft have issued official statements, the future of "Project H" remains uncertain. The possibility of another publisher or development team taking over the project remains open.

Guerrilla Games' Horizon Online Project Remains Active

This news contrasts sharply with the ongoing development of a separate Horizon online project by Guerrilla Games. The studio confirmed its work on an "Online Project" set within the Horizon universe in a December 16, 2022, Twitter (X) post. This project, featuring a new cast and unique art style, is actively recruiting developers.

Job postings, including one for a Senior Combat Designer (November 2023) and a Senior Platform Engineer (January 2025), reveal details about the game's scope. The latter posting suggests a target player base of over one million, hinting at a large-scale online experience.

Sony and NCSoft Partnership

The November 28, 2023, announcement of a strategic partnership between Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE) and NCSoft adds another layer of complexity. While the cancelled Horizon MMORPG won't materialize through this collaboration, the partnership could potentially open doors for other Sony titles to reach mobile platforms.