Sony’s ambitious plans to expand its gaming empire beyond traditional consoles have suffered another significant blow with the apparent cancellation of the Horizon franchise MMO, developed in partnership with Korean publisher NCSOFT. The project’s termination adds to a growing list of setbacks in Sony’s strategic push into live service gaming.
The collaboration, announced over a year ago under the working titles “Project H” and “Project Skyline,” aimed to bring the popular Horizon franchise to PS5, PC, and mobile platforms. The initiative aligned with PlayStation’s broader strategy to reach audiences beyond its traditional console base, as outlined by CEO Jim Ryan during the partnership announcement with NCSOFT.
NCSOFT’s current financial struggles appear to be the primary catalyst for the project’s demise. The Korean publisher’s leadership recently delivered a stark message to staff, declaring 2025 a make-or-break year for the company’s future. Following October’s layoffs, Korean publication MTN reports that Project H has been terminated as part of a comprehensive feasibility review, with staff being redistributed to other projects.
This development marks another chapter in Sony’s challenging journey to diversify its gaming portfolio. The company has recently weathered several high-profile cancellations, including a live service God of War title from Bluepoint and an unspecified project from Bend Studio. Sony’s mobile gaming aspirations have also faced obstacles, notably the closure of smartphone studio Neon Koi merely a year after its acquisition.
Gaming industry observers should note that this cancellation does not affect the separate online multiplayer Horizon project under development at Guerrilla Games, the original creators of the franchise. That project reportedly continues to progress as planned, offering a silver lining for fans of the post-apocalyptic franchise.
The string of project cancellations reflects broader challenges facing the gaming industry, including rising development costs and a plateauing console market. These factors have pushed PlayStation to seek growth opportunities beyond its traditional business model, though success has proven elusive in many cases.
One notable exception in Sony’s live service endeavors has been Helldivers 2, which has achieved remarkable success and stands as a bright spot in an otherwise challenging landscape. The game’s performance demonstrates that while the path to live service success may be difficult, it’s not impossible with the right approach and execution.
The cancellation of the Horizon MMO raises questions about the future of Sony’s expansion strategy and the broader viability of traditional gaming companies venturing into new territory. The company’s experience highlights the complexities and risks involved in transitioning established single-player franchises into different gaming formats and platforms.
Industry analysts suggest that Sony’s struggles mirror wider challenges facing traditional gaming companies as they attempt to adapt to evolving market dynamics. The balance between maintaining successful traditional gaming experiences while expanding into new territories has proven particularly challenging for many established players in the industry.
As the gaming landscape continues to evolve, Sony’s experience serves as a cautionary tale about the difficulties of diversification in the modern gaming industry. The company’s ongoing efforts to expand beyond its console roots, despite these setbacks, demonstrate both the perceived necessity of adaptation and the significant obstacles that stand in the way of successful transformation.
While Sony continues to dominate the traditional console gaming space with successful single-player experiences, its journey into live service and mobile gaming highlights the complexities of modern game development and publishing. As development costs rise and market conditions shift, companies like Sony face increasing pressure to find new revenue streams while maintaining their core strengths.
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