Horizon Hunters Gathering reportedly delays Horizon 3, as Sony prioritizes multiplayer PS5 game

Sony's studio Guerrilla Games has redirected most of its development resources toward the multiplayer project Horizon Hunters Gathering, causing significant delays for the highly anticipated Horizon 3, according to industry insider Jason Schreier. This strategic shift highlights Sony's growing emphasis on live-service games despite mixed results in the multiplayer arena.

The Horizon series traditionally delivered single-player experiences with Horizon Zero Dawn launching in 2017 and Horizon Forbidden West following in 2022. Based on this cadence, fans expected Horizon 3 around 2027. However, Schreier's report indicates Guerrilla Games now has "most of the studio" working on Horizon Hunters Gathering, contradicting earlier assumptions that only a small team handled the multiplayer spin-off.

Sony's live-service push follows their $3.6 billion acquisition of Bungie in 2022, signaling a strategic pivot toward recurring revenue models. While Helldivers 2 demonstrated this approach's potential success, other titles like Concord failed spectacularly. Bungie's upcoming extraction shooter Marathon faces development challenges, and Sony recently canceled a live-service God of War title scheduled for 2025.

Comparing Sony's portfolio reveals tension between business priorities and player expectations. Single-player exclusives like Death Stranding 2 and Ghost of Yōtei continue achieving strong sales, suggesting Horizon 3 would be a commercially safe project given the franchise's established fanbase. Yet Horizon Hunters Gathering offers Sony the long-term revenue potential of microtransactions and seasonal content absent in narrative-driven games.

For PS5 owners, this delay creates distinct impacts:

• Single-player enthusiasts may wait until PS6's projected 2028 launch for Horizon 3, facing a 6+ year gap from Forbidden West
• Multiplayer fans gain a tactical co-op experience leveraging Horizon's creature-hunting mechanics
• Investors see continued backing of live-service models despite market saturation risks

With numerous live-service games like Highguard failing quickly, Horizon Hunters Gathering faces intense competition. Sony must balance this gamble against alienating fans of their flagship single-player franchise. Guerrilla Games confirmed initial work on the multiplayer project before completing Forbidden West, indicating this pivot was long-planned despite potential fan disappointment.

Source: Jason Schreier via Okami13_ on X