NCSoft Shuts Down Horizon MMO

NCSoft's Cancellation of the Horizon MMORPG "Project H"

NCSoft, a leading South Korean game developer, recently canceled several projects, including a highly anticipated Horizon MMORPG codenamed "H," as reported by MTN, a South Korean news outlet on January 13, 2025. This decision follows a company-wide "feasibility review." The cancellation of "Project H" is further substantiated by the departure of key developers and the removal of "H" (and another project, codenamed "J") from the company's organizational chart. "Project Pantera" (or "Raising Lineage") remains under review.

The news comes as a surprise, given NCSoft's success with franchises like Lineage and Guild Wars. While no official statement has been released by NCSoft or Sony, the future of "Project H" remains uncertain. The possibility of another developer picking up the project remains open.

Guerrilla Games' Ongoing Horizon Online Project

Independently, Guerrilla Games, the studio behind the Horizon series, is actively developing a separate online multiplayer game within the Horizon universe, referred to as the "Online Project." This project, announced via a Twitter(X) post in December 2022, promises a new cast of characters and a unique visual style.

Recent job postings, including one for a Senior Combat Designer (November 2023) and a Senior Platform Engineer (January 2025), reveal details about the game's scope. The requirement for experience with "1M+ globally distributed systems" suggests Guerrilla Games anticipates a substantial player base of over one million.

Sony and NCSoft's Strategic Partnership

The cancellation of "Project H" occurs against the backdrop of a newly formed strategic partnership between Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE) and NCSoft, announced November 28, 2023. This collaboration aims to leverage NCSoft's technological expertise and SIE's global reach to expand into new gaming markets. While the Horizon MMORPG didn't materialize through this partnership, it opens avenues for future collaborations and potentially bringing other Sony titles to mobile platforms.