The Horizon Zero Dawn franchise is one of PlayStation’s most popular modern IPs, so it stands to reason that developer Guerilla Games would want to build upon the formula, but its reported direction may frustrate some fans. While enthusiasts can already look forward to LEGO Horizon Adventures, which releases on November 14, there are apparently already plans to further the game’s universe with even more spinoffs. A series mostly known for providing players with a compelling single-player open world, the next game may take many by surprise.
According to reputable insider Jason Schreier, speaking on Spawn Wave, Guerilla Games’ next big project is the so-called Horizon Online which, as the name suggests, will be a multiplayer-focused experience set in the Horizon world.
Schreier goes on to describe the title as being live-service, suggesting it is part of PlayStation’s push to deliver more games-as-a-service, an approach that has managed to alienate the community and earned plenty of pushback from fans. There’s no release date on Horizon Online but it does sound like a third single-player player could also be planned, even if its announcement is still very far away.
Does Anyone Want Horizon Online?
It Could Have Potential
There’s no denying that a multiplayer game set in the Horizon universe could have potential as the next major step in PlayStation’s live-service pipeline. It’s easy to imagine a game that plays similarly to Grand Theft Auto Online, as users create their character and adventure around the world completing quests for various NPCs, gaining reputation, and teaming up with others to bring down gigantic robot dinosaurs. That sounds like the kind of direction such an experience would aim to capture, but the community may not want it.
Horizon is best known for its compelling world-building and character writing; one of the most common criticisms of Zero Dawn and Forbidden West is that the formulaic gameplay detracts from Aloy’s journey. Creating a game that places more emphasis on the mechanics rather than a curated narrative with interesting plot points and characters may miss the core appeal of Horizon. This is all speculation until PlayStation has confirmed Horizon Online‘s existence, but one can only hope it fares better than the likes of Concord.
Is PlayStation Over-Estimating Horizon?
The Latest Announcement Would Suggest That’s The Case
It seems fair to say that players are already growing tired of PlayStation’s fondness for the Horizon games. Following the announcement of the remastered version of Horizon Zero Dawn, many consumers expressed annoyance that the game is receiving so much attention when the likes of Bloodborne and Infamous have seemingly been forgotten. Horizon Online may cater to those who already enjoy the franchise, but one can’t help but doubt its wider appeal.
Source: Spawn Wave/YouTube