Horizon Co-op Spinoff Expands PlayStation’s Live Service Games
▼ Summary
– Sony and Guerrilla are developing a new cooperative action game called *Horizon Hunters Gathering* for PS5 and PC, where up to three players team up as Hunters.
– The game features tactical, skill-based combat, a roster of customizable Hunters with unique stories, and a narrative campaign.
– Core gameplay focuses on replayable hunts, with two initial modes shown: “Machine Incursion” for wave-based defense and “Cauldron Descent” for multi-stage trials.
– The game will offer a single-player option with NPC teammates and will support crossplay and cross-progression upon release.
– Guerrilla confirms it will continue making single-player games, and a small-scale closed playtest for *Horizon Hunters Gathering* is planned for late February.
The Horizon universe is set to grow with a new cooperative experience, as Sony and developer Guerrilla announce Horizon Hunters Gathering. This title is a tactical, team-based action game designed for the PlayStation 5 and PC, marking a significant expansion into the live-service arena for the beloved franchise. Players will form squads of up to three, taking on the role of distinct Hunters to defend the world from relentless mechanical threats.
Combat is described as tactical, reactive, and deeply skill-based, evolving the precision mechanics the series is known for while introducing new dynamics centered on cooperative play. Each Hunter on the roster offers a unique play style, and players can further customize their characters with specific roles, perks, and upgrades that follow a roguelike progression system. The game will feature a narrative campaign, with each Hunter bringing their own personal motivations and story arcs to the adventure.
At its core, the experience is built around challenging and replayable hunts. The development team has previewed two primary game modes to illustrate this focus. The first, Machine Incursion, is a high-intensity mission where waves of machines emerge from underground gateways, culminating in a battle against a formidable boss. The second, Cauldron Descent, is a longer, multi-stage trial set in ever-changing rooms that test a team’s limits with brutal encounters and hidden challenges that offer greater rewards.
For those who prefer to venture alone, a single-player option will be available. In this mode, the player will be accompanied by two AI-controlled NPC teammates, ensuring the core tactical squad experience remains intact. Sony has not yet announced a specific release date for Horizon Hunters Gathering, but a small-scale closed playtest is scheduled for the end of February. Interested players can register for a chance to participate through the official PlayStation Beta Program. The game will also support crossplay and cross-progression between platforms.
Importantly, Guerrilla has clarified that this project does not signal a full shift away from its roots. Studio director Jan-Bart van Beek emphasized in a related video that the team remains passionately committed to single-player narratives. “We absolutely love making single-player games and we’re going to keep making them,” he stated. “They’re a huge part of who we are as a studio.” This new cooperative venture represents a parallel path, expanding the Horizon world while the studio continues its work on beloved solo adventures.
(Source: The Verge)
