Sony is reportedly changing direction on Horizon Hunters Gathering after an unfavourable internal playtest. A new report in Bloomberg says Guerrilla Games is rebuilding the multiplayer project, reducing its live-service components and introducing a story mode.
A smaller Horizon multiplayer game
The reported reset follows a weak internal test held in June. The revised project is intended to have a narrower scope, although Hunters Gathering has not been cancelled. Guerrilla reportedly has until the end of 2026 to demonstrate that the game can be substantially improved.
Announced earlier this year, Horizon Hunters Gathering was described as a tactical co-op action game. Its visual presentation suggested a more colourful, broadly accessible direction, with comparisons to the style and tone associated with Fortnite. The project has also been a major focus for Guerrilla, meaning fans waiting for the next single-player Horizon adventure may have a longer wait.
Horizon Forbidden West launched four years before this report, but the next mainline single-player game was reportedly dependent on Hunters Gathering reaching completion. That makes the multiplayer project’s change in direction significant for the wider franchise.
Sony’s live-service gamble continues
Sony’s attempt to build a stronger multiplayer and games-as-a-service portfolio has delivered mixed results. Helldivers 2 became a major success, while Marathon appears to be gaining momentum. Other projects have been cancelled, closed or discontinued, including Bluepoint’s reported God of War live-service game, Naughty Dog’s The Last of Us multiplayer project, Destiny 2 and Concord.
For players and the wider arcade and gaming news community, the outcome will be worth watching. A reduced co-op game with a story component could give Hunters Gathering a clearer identity, but Guerrilla must first prove that the revised plan works.
As the project develops, the broader lesson for interactive entertainment remains familiar: large online games need a sustainable audience as well as a strong first impression. For those comparing different ways to enjoy games at home, RETROCADE’s arcade machine buying guide and range of arcade machines offer a separate, dedicated alternative to live-service gaming.
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