According to KitGuru.net, Guerrilla Games has revealed that “from the first moment we imagined Horizon, we always thought about it as a multiplayer game.” This comes right after the official announcement of Horizon Steel Frontiers, an MMO being developed by NCSoft. Studio and Art Director Jan-Bart van Beek specifically called out LEGO Horizon Adventures as their “first small step” into multiplayer, with Steel Frontiers representing a “bigger one.” The Horizon franchise has sold 40 million copies since the first game launched in 2017, making it one of PlayStation’s biggest single-player successes. Van Beek also teased that “there is much more to come,” while separate leaks suggest Guerrilla themselves are working on their own multiplayer Horizon game.
The Multiplayer Vision
Here’s the thing – this revelation feels a bit revisionist, doesn’t it? Horizon Zero Dawn and Forbidden West are textbook examples of premium single-player experiences. They’re built around Aloy’s personal journey, with carefully crafted narratives that don’t exactly scream “bring your friends.” But maybe that’s the point. The world itself – with its massive robotic creatures, diverse tribes, and sprawling landscapes – absolutely has co-op potential. Taking down a Thunderjaw with buddies could be incredible. Still, calling it a multiplayer vision from day one seems like stretching the truth to align with current business strategies.
Franchise Expansion Play
So what’s really happening here? Basically, Sony’s following the money. Single-player games are expensive and risky, while live service titles can generate consistent revenue for years. We’ve seen this pattern before – look at how aggressively they’re pushing into PC gaming and mobile. The Horizon universe is ripe for expansion beyond Aloy’s story, and multiplayer spin-offs make perfect business sense. LEGO Horizon Adventures looks like the family-friendly gateway, while NCSoft’s MMO could become a massive persistent world. And if the rumors about Guerrilla’s own multiplayer project are true, they’re not putting all their eggs in one basket.
Will Fans Embrace This?
Now for the big question: will Horizon’s dedicated fanbase actually want this? The series built its reputation on deep storytelling and immersive solo exploration. MMOs are fundamentally different beasts – they’re about grinding, social interaction, and persistent progression. Some players will absolutely love teaming up in this world, but others might see it as diluting what made Horizon special. The success will depend entirely on execution. Can they maintain the series’ signature combat and world-building while adapting to multiplayer mechanics? That’s the billion-dollar challenge.
Bigger Industry Shift
This isn’t just about Horizon – it’s part of a massive industry pivot. Every major publisher wants their own ecosystem of connected games. Single-player experiences are becoming foundation stones for broader franchises rather than standalone products. We’re seeing it with God of War getting a mobile game, The Last of Us getting a multiplayer title (eventually), and now Horizon expanding in multiple directions. The days of buying a complete story in one box are fading. Whether that’s good for players… well, that’s the real debate. Personally, I think there’s room for both approaches if they’re done well. But the pressure to monetize these beloved worlds is undeniable.
