Key Takeaways
1. Sony has canceled several live-service multiplayer games, including a planned God of War title set for 2025, but is still exploring online-focused opportunities.
2. Most of Guerrilla Games is currently focused on developing the tactical co-op game Horizon Hunters Gathering, delaying the release of Horizon 3.
3. No specific timeline has been provided for Horizon 3’s release, raising concerns it may not arrive until after the PS6 launch.
4. Sony’s investment in multiplayer games is criticized, especially after mixed results with new titles like Concord and Bungie’s Marathon.
5. Community reactions show confusion and disappointment over the delay of Horizon 3, with fans hoping for a strong single-player experience in the future.
Sony has decided to cancel several live-service multiplayer games, including a God of War installment that was set for 2025. Nonetheless, the company is still looking into these online-focused opportunities that could be very profitable. After the announcement of the tactical co-op game Horizon Hunters Gathering, a new report indicates that Horizon 3 won’t be making its debut anytime soon.
Development Insights
Bloomberg’s Jason Schreier addressed inquiries regarding the creation of the next mainline Horizon. According to this reliable source, “most of the studio” is working on the upcoming Horizon Hunters. Some players thought that Guerrilla Games had assigned just a small team to this project. If this isn’t true, fans who appreciate narrative-driven experiences might have some cause for concern.
Earlier, the studio mentioned that Horizon 3 was under development but did not provide a timeline for its release. Reviewing the series’ past, Horizon Zero Dawn was launched in 2017, followed by Horizon Forbidden West in 2022, which appeared as a PS4 and PS5 title. While spin-offs and even an MMORPG came out, there was a hope for a new single-player game to be ready by as early as 2027.
Future Expectations
There are worries that the game might not be ready until after the PS6 is released. Critics are pointing fingers at Sony’s massive investment in the multiplayer sector. While Helldivers 2 has been a success, Concord turned out to be a significant disappointment. Bungie’s extraction shooter, Marathon, is now faced with a difficult development journey.
Sony’s purchase of Bungie in 2022, known for Destiny, marked a clear shift from single-player experiences. Guerrilla Games confirmed that an online title was on its way late that same year. However, it’s worth noting that Horizon Hunters Gathering was in the pipeline even before Forbidden West was wrapped up.
Community Reactions
No matter what the reasons are, puzzled PlayStation fans cannot comprehend the potential delay for the Horizon 3 release. The competition among live-service PS5 titles is fierce. Many multi-platform projects, like Highguard, struggle to attract players and often fade quickly. On the flip side, titles like Death Stranding 2 and Ghost of Yōtei have performed remarkably well as timed single-player exclusives.
Given the strong fanbase of the open-world RPG series, Horizon 3 could still prove to be a more dependable choice. Still, Horizon Hunters has the capacity to create steady income long after it launches.
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