There’s strong speculation coming out of Korea that Sony has signed a deal with developer NCSoft to create an MMO adaptation of its best-selling Horizon franchise. The studio is best known for uber-popular releases like Lineage and Guild Wars, which are big in Asia, although a report by local publication MTN claims that the company is gunning for global success here.
Judging by the wording in the report, it sounds like the ink is still a little wet on this deal, so if accurate it’ll still be in the very early stages of development. Interestingly, though, PlayStation has been hiring for a Korean translator – with the job location listed as Amsterdam. Horizon creator Guerrilla Games is of course based in the Dutch capital, so this does add weight to the report.
Even more fascinating is that, alongside that translator role, Sony has a handful of Amsterdam-based producer roles for an upcoming “mobile game project”. Given the expertise of NCSoft, and PlayStation’s decision to develop more mobile games, we wouldn’t be surprised if this title turned out to be targeting smartphones, a little like Genshin Impact perhaps.
In fact, speaking with Famitsu fairly recently, PS Studios boss Hermen Hulst said: “We believe that developing titles that are suitable for mobile and realising crossplay between console and mobile is also an important initiative.” So, it’s possible this Horizon MMO could launch on a variety of platforms, including mobile, PlayStation, and PC.
We’ll obviously contact Sony and try and get some clarification on exactly what’s afoot here, but this could be a potentially fascinating expansion of the Horizon universe. Is it something you’d be interested in, though? Remember, there are separate rumours of an online-focused live service Horizon spin-off game from Guerrilla; whether it’s connected to this purported NCSoft partnership is unclear.
[source news.mtn.co.kr, via boards.greenhouse.io, boards.greenhouse.io, resetera.com, jaxon.gg, resetera.com]
Comments 36
I do game a bit on my phone when at work (don't tell my boss) so I'm interested how this'll play out.
Just hope it's not one of those on rail mmos that are prominent in the app store.
A mobile MMO designed for the Korean audience sounds like nothing I want to be a part of.
I’ll pass on this. Wish they put their resources to making the third installment 10/10. The potential is there to make it an epic ending to a trilogy (if it’s a trilogy).
Wonder if this will be set in the past during the big machine war
When the first game came out some friends and I talked about how it would be perfect for an MMO experience, or something more like Monster Hunter.
Would love to see it happen.
As for a mobile game, it could be a serious money maker for SIE.
No reason to think this would affect the potential third installment.
Much as I'm more up for another game, I have no issue with them using this IP to try a mobile MMO. The franchise seems pretty suited to the game style, so hopefully they will make it and we can all see if its success or a disaster! I'm pretty sure this could work
My opinion of mobile gaming is quite simple; let me buy outright with no additional purchases, and guarantee a trophy campaign in every game like on PS4/5. Then I’ll look at them. Until then they do not exist.
Horizon: Zero Interest
Man Killzone seems truly dead huh? I like Horizon well enough but I wish Killzone didn't have to go to the grave for it.
As for this game in particular my chances of playing it are pretty much zero.
Sony must be on drugs.get the f👎c🤔 out of here with that crap.why not make sly cooper collection.a resistance collection.a bloodborne remaster.a syphon filter remake collection.word up son
Remember sony aren't making this themselves, meaning guerrilla are still freed up to work on their projects.
More evidence that Sony has completely given up on listening to their fan base or being a quality focused gamecentric platform.
This idea that you can take every valuable IP and turn it into live service nonsense is just ridiculous and will continue to prove to be a unicorn that has only been successful with a very few aging mediums.
The first part fine, the second part, no.
Genshin Impact is console exclusive to the PlayStation, with a Switch version allegedly in development, although with the ballooning size of the game I can't see how any longer. Which perhaps makes you think that Sony has tapped up MiHoYo for a bit of advice around how to create a game like this. It certainly fits with their actions.
Their focus on live service / MMO games is concerning. Not sure why they don't focus on what they are good at and do more of that instead of trying to catch the MMO lightning in a bottle.
What a rollercoaster. A Horizon MMO had me interested, but if it is simple enough to also run on phones, I am not interested.
Wont get a cent out of me for this. Hopefully this fails for them.
@Jey887 basically a gacha style game
@Korgon it's a shame, especially with how good Killzone Mercenary was, it is completely possible to make a 3v3 quick match style game for mobile.
I mean this is a slightly better idea than remaking the first Horizon game for PS5, that kind of seems like a waste. That game on PS5 runs and looks outstanding. I actually did a whole play through on it before starting the 2nd game.
Not something I'm interested in and actually I didn't even finish Forbidden West. I'm looking forward to that VR game though
Mobile phone gaming…. Yuck. Cheapest thing to happen to Aloy since appearing in Fortnite.
@ILikeStake Cause with everyone and everything buying up every studio on the planet... They are on the verge of losing a lot of long term revenue. Mixing in the fact they've losing their grip over the Japanese market.
They are being forced to rely not just on what they've been successful cause let's face it... Their first party efforts don't actually make a lot of money like Live service, MMO, and mobile games do.
Sony has also been trying to expand their effort in the Asian market, and well... that market doesn't care for AAA Hollywood style games. They enjoy stuff like MMOs and mobile games.
Not interested in an MMO but I would take a Monster Hunter-alike game for multiplayer. The series could also make a good strategy game too
Yeah, that seems like something Jim Ryan’s Sony would do.
Hard pass because I know its going to be massively grindy.
I just dont like playing on my phone either.
@MasterChiefWiggum That's a great one.
Some dlc would be good...
Sounds like an absolute disaster. Have fun with that!
@KundaliniRising333 Par for the course these days unfortunately. Capcom seems to have figured out that a sure fire way to make lots of money is to make games that people actually want.
The amount of companies that just follow trends and hope something sticks is verging on incompetence. From MMOs to MOBAs to Battle Royales, very few of them actually find success.
The amount of money wasted trying to chase the dragon of the live service infinite money pot must be eye watering.
@brazzios_84 Thank you!
@ILikeStake what are they good at ? being one dimensional with their variety/creativity and releasing nothing but cinematic open worlds for the umpteenth time ?
@nomither6 Not sure if I'm being baited here but why would anyone buy a Playstation if they didn't want the exclusive games? You allude to them not being good at anything but their first party exclusives are world class and consistently get excellent reviews from gamers and publications.
If you feel that way, just don't get a Playstation, pretty simple choice to go with PC or Xbox.
NCsoft + mobile? Sounds like this isn't even targeting the west. 1 or 2 titles like that will be fine by me. A high revenue stream in the east is actually a smart idea.
@ILikeStake i allude to them not having variety ; you proclaim them as making world class games and “the place to play exclusives” but yet there’s no variety and it’s the same ***** ; so how’s it the place to play exclusives or world class when it seems more as if they’re one-trick-ponies that can’t expand their world class skills to other gaming genres ?? they don’t have to be multiplayer , but i’d think something that’s world class at something would be more grand and have something for everyone if you’re gonna brand them as the place for exclusives .
“why would anyone buy a playstation if they didn’t want the exclusive games?” - uh are you serious ?? are you the one baiting here ? people buy them because they want a console , that question alludes to playstation being not worth anything else beyond their exclusives as if it’s nintendo .
“ If you feel that way, just don't get a Playstation, pretty simple choice to go with PC or Xbox”
and i’m just gonna ignore this dumb passive-aggressive response
Hard pass on all of this, just give me Horizon 3 please.
Also I still think it's ridiculous we might be getting a Zero Dawn PS5 remake.
Tap here to load 36 comments
Leave A Comment
Hold on there, you need to login to post a comment...