Sony Cancels Horizon Zero Dawn MMO: A Big Question Mark for Its Online Gaming Strategy.
Sony recently made a surprising decision to cancel several live-service game projects, including a highly anticipated MMO set in the Horizon Zero Dawn universe. This move has not only stunned fans but also raised significant questions about Sony’s strategy in the online gaming space.
The End of the Horizon Zero Dawn MMO
The MMO project, codenamed “Project H,” was a collaboration between Sony and NCSoft, a renowned South Korean game developer famous for blockbuster MMORPGs like Lineage and Guild Wars. According to reliable sources, the project began in 2021 and was expected to use Unreal Engine 5 to create an expansive world for both PC and mobile platforms.
In late 2023, Sony officially announced its partnership with NCSoft, which was seen as confirmation of earlier rumors about “Project H.” However, just over a year later, NCSoft halted development on the project, along with two other games, “Project Pantera” and “Project J,” citing financial difficulties and strategic shifts.
Sony’s Live-Service Strategy Faces Turbulence
The cancellation of “Project H” comes as Sony reevaluates its live-service gaming strategy. The company had previously set a goal to release 10 live-service PlayStation titles by 2026. However, several of these projects have since been shelved. Recently, Sony also canceled two unannounced projects from its in-house studios, one of which was reportedly a game from the God of War franchise.
Despite these setbacks, Sony still has some live-service projects in the works. Guerrilla Games, the developer behind the Horizon series, is said to be developing another multiplayer game within the franchise’s universe. Additionally, Bungie, a subsidiary of Sony, is working on the extraction shooter Marathon and an undisclosed MOBA project.
The Future of Horizon and Fan Expectations
Horizon Zero Dawn is one of Sony’s most prominent gaming franchises, renowned for its captivating narrative and stunning open-world design. With the cancellation of the MMO project, fans are questioning the potential for the franchise to expand into the online gaming space. However, Guerrilla Games’ ongoing development of a standalone multiplayer project provides hope that players will soon experience the Horizon universe from a fresh perspective.
Conclusion
Sony‘s string of live-service game cancellations highlights the challenges the company faces in pursuing its ambitious goals in this space. At the same time, these decisions may reflect Sony’s cautious approach to focusing its resources on genuinely promising projects. While the future of Sony’s live-service titles remains uncertain, players can still look forward to potential breakthroughs from experienced studios like Guerrilla Games and Bungie.
Are these changes a necessary adjustment to ensure Sony’s success in the online gaming market, or are they signs of a strategy losing its direction? Only time will tell.