NCSoft's Cancellation of Horizon MMORPG Project "H"

News broke on January 13, 2025, via South Korean news outlet MTN, that NCSoft had canceled several projects, including a Horizon MMORPG codenamed "H." This decision followed a company-wide "feasibility review." NCSoft, a major developer and publisher known for the Lineage and Guild Wars franchises, also reportedly canceled projects codenamed "J," while "Pantera" (or "Raising Lineage") remains under evaluation.

The MTN report further indicated that key developers working on "Project H" departed NCSoft. Remaining team members were reassigned to other company projects. The removal of "H" and "J" from NCSoft's organizational chart solidified the cancellation. No official statement has been released by Sony or NCSoft regarding this development. The possibility of another developer or publisher acquiring the "Project H" assets remains uncertain.

Guerrilla Games' Ongoing Horizon Online Project

Separately, Guerrilla Games, the studio behind the Horizon series, continues its work on a Horizon multiplayer game, referred to as the "Online Project." This project, announced on Twitter (X) December 16, 2022, will feature new characters and a unique visual style.

Job postings, including one for a Senior Combat Designer (November 2023) and a Senior Platform Engineer (January 2025), highlight the game's scale. The latter posting suggests a player base exceeding one million, hinting at a large-scale online experience. However, details remain scarce pending an official announcement.

Sony and NCSoft's Strategic Partnership

The strategic partnership between Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE) and NCSoft, announced November 28, 2023, aims to expand PlayStation's reach beyond consoles. While the NCSoft Horizon MMORPG was cancelled, this collaboration might pave the way for future Sony titles to appear on mobile platforms.