Sony has reportedly ordered a major reboot of its upcoming live-service title, Horizon Hunters Gathering, following disappointing feedback from closed playtests.

  • Sony has ordered a reboot of 'Horizon Hunters Gathering' due to negative playtest feedback.
  • The game is shifting from a live-service model to a traditional cooperative multiplayer experience.
  • Guerrilla Games has until December to meet critical milestones to prevent potential cancellation.

Sony's ambitious live-service project, 'Horizon Hunters Gathering', is facing a massive overhaul. According to recent reports, the studio has decided to reboot the title after receiving underwhelming feedback from closed playtests. Developed by Guerrilla Games, this multiplayer spinoff of the acclaimed Horizon franchise was intended to be a major pillar in Sony's live-service expansion strategy.

The original vision for the game involved heavy live-service elements, but the direction is now shifting significantly. Bloomberg reports that Guerrilla has been working on this reboot since June, aiming to strip away the live-service components. Instead, the goal is to transform it into a 'traditional cooperative multiplayer game' featuring a dedicated story mode and a more contained scope.

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Why This Matters

BozokMedia analysis shows that Sony is currently navigating a turbulent period in its live-service ambitions. While titles like Helldivers 2 achieved massive success, the disastrous launch and subsequent shutdown of Concord have left the company's strategy under intense scrutiny. The pivot for Horizon Hunters Gathering suggests a strategic retreat from the 'always-on' model toward more structured, traditional multiplayer experiences.

The shift from live-service to traditional co-op reflects a broader industry realization that player fatigue with microtransactions is real.

The pressure on Guerrilla Games is immense. Staff have reportedly been informed that the team has until December to impress Sony executives with the game's next major milestone. There is a looming threat of cancellation if this reboot fails to meet expectations. Furthermore, some staff members are already being reassigned to other Guerrilla projects, signaling a tightening of resources.

When first announced, Horizon Hunters Gathering was positioned as a tactical, three-player co-op experience where players would hunt deadly machines. It featured modes like 'Machine Incursion' and 'Cauldron Descent,' alongside a roguelite perk system. However, it remains unclear how much of this original content will survive the transition to the new, smaller-scope format.

This development comes as Sony scales back its massive 2022 goal of launching over 10 live-service games by 2026. Sony President Hiroki Totoki previously indicated that the company is prioritizing quality over quantity, reviewing its entire live-service slate to ensure only the most promising titles reach the market.

Did You Know?: Sony's Concord became one of the shortest-lived games in PlayStation history, being shut down just weeks after its release.

Frequently Asked Questions

Question 1: Is Horizon Hunters Gathering canceled?
No, the game is not canceled, but it is undergoing a significant structural reboot to change its gameplay model.

Question 2: What will the new version of the game look like?
It is expected to be a traditional cooperative multiplayer game with a story mode, moving away from the live-service model.