Horizon MMO by NCSoft May Have Been Canceled, According to a New Report

The Horizon MMO, previously rumored to be under development by Korean studio NCSoft, appears to have been canceled, alongside other projects, following a feasibility review, as per a new report.

The report, originally published by Korean outlet MTN, claims that NCSoft has ceased work on multiple projects, including Project H and the Horizon MMO. According to MTN's investigation, developers were informed about the end of development and prepared for internal transfers late last year and early in 2025. Some canceled projects have reportedly been removed from the company's organizational charts, signaling that their development has been terminated permanently.

This information was further corroborated in a discussion on ResetERA, where users shared insights about the report and speculated on the impact of these cancellations.

Uncertain Future for Horizon’s Online Expansion

While the Horizon MMO was never officially announced, the project had garnered interest as part of Sony's efforts to expand its Horizon franchise. The company has been pushing into live service games, but the results have been less than stellar. Recent examples include the failed launch of Concord in 2024 and the cancellation of a God of War live service game by Bluepoint Games, as well as another unnamed project by Bend Studio.

The cancellation of the Horizon MMO represents yet another setback in this strategy. However, Sony is still proceeding with its Horizon multiplayer game, which remains in development. This project, first teased via leaked footage in 2023, continues to aim at bringing multiplayer gameplay to the franchise, expanding beyond the single-player framework established by Horizon Zero Dawn and Horizon Forbidden West.

While NCSoft has not publicly acknowledged the cancellation of the Horizon MMO or Project H, the development halt highlights the challenges studios face with ambitious live service titles. This news also reflects broader struggles within the gaming industry to successfully launch and sustain such games, as competition grows fiercer and players demand higher quality experiences.

It remains to be seen how Sony and NCSoft will adjust their strategies in light of these developments.

What are your thoughts on the possible cancellation of the Horizon MMO? Share your opinions in the comments below.