NCSoft Ends Development on 'Horizon' MMO

NCSoft Scraps Horizon MMORPG "Project H"

NCSoft has canceled its upcoming Horizon MMORPG, codenamed "H," following the departure of key developers, according to a January 13, 2025 report by South Korean news outlet MTN. The cancellation is part of a broader company-wide "feasibility review," resulting in the termination of several projects. Another game, codenamed "J," also reportedly met the same fate, while "Pantera" (or "Raising Lineage") remains under evaluation. The MTN report further states that developers assigned to "Project H" left NCSoft, and remaining staff were reassigned to other projects. The removal of "H" and "J" from NCSoft's organizational chart solidifies their cancellation.

While neither Sony nor NCSoft have issued official statements, the future of "Project H" remains uncertain. Whether another publisher or development team will acquire the project's assets and continue its development is currently unknown.

A Separate Horizon Multiplayer Game Remains in Development

Despite the cancellation of the NCSoft project, Guerrilla Games continues development on a separate Horizon multiplayer game, internally referred to as the "Online Project." This project, first teased on Twitter (X) in December 2022, features a new cast of characters and a unique visual style. Job postings, including one for a Senior Combat Designer in November 2023, highlight the development of new, challenging machines designed for multiplayer combat.

A recent job listing for a Senior Platform Engineer, seeking experience with globally distributed systems supporting over one million players, suggests ambitious scale for the Guerrilla Games project. While an official announcement is pending, this game is likely a Sony-led initiative, distinct from the now-canceled NCSoft endeavor.

Sony and NCSoft's Strategic Partnership

The November 28, 2023 announcement of a strategic partnership between Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE) and NCSoft aimed to leverage NCSoft's technological expertise and SIE's global reach. While the Horizon MMORPG was canceled, this partnership could pave the way for other Sony titles to expand into mobile gaming.