Guerrilla Games, the company behind the popular game Horizon Zero Dawn, is reportedly working on a new project called Horizon Online. However, fans expecting a third installment, Horizon 3, might have to wait longer. A recent report by Bloomberg’s Jason Schreier has sparked curiosity about what this new online game will bring and raised questions about the future of the Horizon series. Let’s understand what’s going on!
What Is Horizon Online?
First, let’s talk about what this new project is. Horizon Online is a multiplayer game set in the same world as Horizon Zero Dawn and Horizon Forbidden West. These games are known for their stunning visuals, amazing storytelling, and a world filled with robotic creatures. But unlike the previous Horizon games, which were single-player experiences, Horizon Online will allow multiple people to play together.
This is a big deal because it’s Guerrilla Games’ first attempt at creating a live service game, where players connect to the internet and play together in real-time. The studio director, Jan Bart van Beek, even said this project is a massive shift for them, almost as challenging as making the first Horizon game.
Why Is There So Much Buzz?
One reason people are talking so much about Horizon Online is because of the timing. Many were hoping for Horizon 3, the next single-player adventure with the series’ beloved character, Aloy. But according to Schreier, Horizon 3 might not come for quite some time. Instead, Guerrilla Games seems focused on developing this online multiplayer game.
For fans who were waiting to jump back into Aloy’s world and continue her journey, this news might be disappointing. But Guerrilla seems to have some ambitious plans for Horizon Online. The game is expected to feature new characters and a fresh art style, which means it could offer something very different from the previous Horizon titles.
Will Horizon Online Be a Hit?
Now, here’s where things get interesting. Live service games can be tricky. While some, like Fortnite and Destiny 2, have become huge successes, others have flopped. For example, PlayStation’s game Concord had one of the most disastrous launches in PlayStation history. It just didn’t connect with players and was shut down quickly after release. Similarly, Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League was a $200 million failure for its publisher, Warner Bros.
Sony, which owns PlayStation and Guerrilla Games, has been trying to push live service games, but with mixed results. While some games, like Helldivers 2, became the fastest-selling PlayStation Studios game, others didn’t do so well. In fact, Sony recently scaled back its plans, deciding to launch only six live service games by the end of 2025 instead of the 12 they originally planned.
So, what does this mean for Horizon Online? It’s hard to say. Some people are excited to see the world of Horizon expanded into an online experience, while others aren’t sure if that’s what they want. As Schreier mentioned, there are many questions around Guerrilla’s strategy. What if Horizon Online doesn’t take off the way they hope? Could this delay or even change the plans for future Horizon games, like Horizon 3?
The Risks of Live Service Games
The thing about live service games is that they require a lot of time and money to maintain. Developers need to keep creating new content, fixing bugs, and keeping players engaged. If a game doesn’t have a large, active community, it can quickly fade away. This has happened to other live service games, and it’s why companies are cautious when creating new ones.
For Horizon Online to succeed, it will need to stand out from the crowd and offer something unique. The online multiplayer world is already filled with big games that grab players’ attention, like Call of Duty, Overwatch, and Apex Legends. Guerrilla Games will need to make sure Horizon Online offers an experience that is different and exciting enough to pull players away from those games.
What About Horizon 3?
While many people are focused on Horizon Online, there is still hope for Horizon 3. In fact, Guerrilla Games has already hinted that they’re working on it. In April 2024, they mentioned that Aloy’s next adventure is in development, but it seems that Horizon Online is their priority right now.
This isn’t the first time Guerrilla has juggled multiple projects. The studio has also been working on a remaster of Horizon Zero Dawn and a new game called Lego Horizon Adventures. The remaster will bring the original game to life with improved graphics and gameplay, while the Lego game offers a more playful take on the Horizon world.
However, with so many projects in the works, it’s no surprise that Horizon 3 might take longer to arrive. Schreier even said, “Don’t hold your breath for Horizon 3,” meaning it could be quite a while before fans get to play it.
What Does This Mean for Guerrilla Games?
Guerrilla Games is in an interesting position. They have a lot of projects on their plate, and not all of them are guaranteed to succeed. The success or failure of Horizon Online could have a big impact on the future of the studio and the Horizon series.
If Horizon Online is a hit, it could open up new possibilities for multiplayer games in the Horizon universe. But if it doesn’t do well, it could force Guerrilla to rethink their strategy and focus on single-player games like Horizon 3.
The Future of Horizon
It’s an exciting time for Horizon fans, but also one filled with uncertainty. Guerrilla Games is taking a bold step by diving into the live service world with Horizon Online. But with so many challenges in the live service market, the success of this game is far from guaranteed.
In the meantime, fans of the Horizon series will have to be patient for Horizon 3. It might take some time before we get to continue Aloy’s adventure, but there’s no doubt that Guerrilla Games has big plans for the future of the franchise.
No matter what happens, the Horizon series has already made a huge mark on the gaming world, and it will be interesting to see where Guerrilla takes it next. Whether through an online multiplayer experience or another epic single-player adventure, the Horizon universe is far from over.
