Next Horizon Game Sparks PS5 Fan Fury as Mobile and PC MMO
▼ Summary
– NCSoft has officially announced Horizon Steel Frontiers, a mobile and PC MMO inspired by Guerrilla’s Horizon franchise, set in the post-apocalyptic Deadlands region.
– Players will create their own characters and engage in combat and customization alongside thousands of others in an online multiplayer experience.
– Guerrilla’s studio director praised the game’s distinct tone and atmosphere, noting it fits well with the Horizon universe while offering something fresh.
– The announcement has drawn criticism from PlayStation fans who are disappointed the game is not initially coming to PS5, targeting the mobile market first.
– Sony’s mobile strategy is expanding, with this MMO and other titles like Ratchet & Clank: Galaxy Rangers, but Guerrilla is also developing its own multiplayer Horizon project.
The gaming world is buzzing with the official reveal of Horizon Steel Frontiers, a new massively multiplayer online game developed by NCSoft. This title expands the beloved Horizon universe onto mobile devices and PC, plunging players into the Deadlands, a harsh, post-apocalyptic frontier modeled after the deserts of Arizona and New Mexico. Unlike the main series, this experience lets you craft a unique character and join thousands of others online, focusing heavily on cooperative and competitive gameplay, deep customization, and intense machine combat.
Jan-Bart Van Beek, studio director at Guerrilla Games, shared his enthusiasm, noting that internal teams have already been enjoying the game during early tests. He emphasized that while Horizon Steel Frontiers carries its own distinct tone and atmosphere, it remains a faithful extension of the Horizon universe. The collaboration with NCSoft has successfully blended the series’ core identity with fresh, innovative elements that promise to captivate both existing fans and newcomers.
However, this announcement has ignited frustration within the PlayStation community. Following the recent reveal of a mobile Ratchet & Clank title, many PS5 owners feel sidelined, expressing disappointment that another major franchise is skipping their platform. Social media platforms are filled with comments from fans urging Sony to bring the game to consoles, with one user noting, “A new PlayStation game not coming to PlayStation, and the gameplay is actual fire. Please bring this to PS5.”
While there’s no confirmation of a PS5 version at this stage, industry observers suggest a console release could follow, given Sony’s history of expanding successful titles across platforms. For now, the clear priority is capturing the vast mobile gaming market. Guerrilla has reassured fans that they continue to develop additional Horizon experiences, including a separate multiplayer project that has been in the works for some time.
Sony’s broader mobile strategy is becoming increasingly evident. The company recently unveiled Ratchet & Clank: Galaxy Rangers, an arena shooter designed for smartphones, and now Horizon Steel Frontiers further solidifies this direction. Set in a shared open world, the MMO encourages players to hunt machines, forge alliances, and compete for resources alongside a massive online population. The game stays true to the franchise’s visual and mechanical style, though it shifts the narrative focus away from Aloy, allowing for greater player agency and personalization.
Set in the Deathlands, the game invites participants to become machine hunters in a dynamic, persistent world. According to Van Beek, the blend of cooperation and rivalry creates emergent, unscripted moments that define the MMO experience. This ambitious project not only aims to broaden the Horizon fanbase, particularly in Asian markets, but also underscores Sony’s commitment to protecting its intellectual property, as seen in recent legal actions against similar-looking games.
No specific release date has been announced, but NCSoft has indicated plans to launch the title as soon as possible. Pre-registration is expected to open shortly, giving eager players an early opportunity to secure access. As anticipation builds, all eyes are on how this bold new chapter will reshape the Horizon legacy.
(Source: Push Square)
