Guerrilla’s Next PS5 Game Is Horizon Hunters Gathering, Not Horizon 3
▼ Summary
– The author believes the upcoming release of a new Grand Theft Auto (GTA) game will help offset Sony’s current struggles with live-service strategy and studio issues.
– They argue that despite Sony’s missteps, there is currently no shortage of great games to play from various publishers.
– The author criticizes Sony for being five years into the PS5 console cycle without a new release from its premier studio, Naughty Dog.
– A potential silver lining is that Sony’s live-service refocusing may now align its first-party studio output with the launch window of the PS6, potentially ensuring strong launch titles.
– The author expresses confidence that Sony will recover from its current strategy and that the PS6 will represent a return to form for the company.
While the gaming community eagerly anticipates the next major installment in the Horizon series, recent reports clarify that Guerrilla Games is currently focused on a different project. The studio’s next release for the PlayStation 5 is not Horizon 3, but rather a multiplayer title currently known as Horizon Hunters Gathering. This live-service game will expand the beloved universe, allowing players to collaborate in the vibrant post-apocalyptic world. This strategic shift aligns with Sony’s broader initiative to develop more ongoing, community-driven experiences alongside their renowned narrative blockbusters.
This development comes at a time when the overall gaming landscape remains incredibly rich. Players have access to a vast library of titles, with major releases continuing to arrive. The imminent launch of a new Grand Theft Auto title later this year is poised to be a monumental event, further ensuring there is no shortage of high-quality entertainment. Upcoming exclusives and third-party games also fill the pipeline, meaning the absence of a immediate Horizon sequel is cushioned by an abundance of other compelling options.
Looking at the broader console cycle, this strategic pacing might ultimately benefit flagship franchises. The PlayStation 5 demonstrates significant longevity, with a successor console likely further out than some initial predictions. This extended timeline allows premier studios like Guerrilla to refine their technology and ambitions without being rushed. Building a hypothetical Horizon 3 on a next-generation iteration of the powerful Decima engine could yield a truly spectacular experience, potentially aligning its release with the launch window of a future console for maximum impact.
Other first-party studios are similarly positioned for the future. Projects currently in development will naturally mature, potentially creating a scenario where the next hardware generation launches with a incredibly strong lineup. A major new Horizon, alongside other anticipated titles from creators like Kojima and Sucker Punch, could define a new console’s debut, returning to the pattern of stellar exclusives that fans expect.
In essence, the confirmation of Horizon Hunters Gathering represents a diversification of a beloved franchise rather than a cancellation of its future. The current gaming ecosystem is flush with content, and the extended development runway for core narrative sequels may lead to more polished and technologically advanced games down the line. This period of experimentation and expansion could well set the stage for a triumphant return to form for Sony’s first-party offerings in the years to come.
(Source: PushSquare)
