During a recent episode of “The Spawncast,” industry insider Jason Schreier revealed significant insights about the future of the Horizon franchise, hinting that Sony’s ambitious live service plans are still very much in motion.
The discussion, which featured prominent figures such as Spawn Wave, OJ from Player Essence, Kimerex, and Celia, shed light on what Guerrilla Games’ next big project will be, and it seems like Horizon Online is taking the lead over a third single-player installment.
Horizon Franchise’s Journey So Far
Spawn Wave questioned whether Guerrilla might be overestimating the pull of the Horizon series, referencing the sales patterns of Horizon Zero Dawn and Horizon Forbidden West.
While Zero Dawn performed well, particularly after being heavily discounted, Forbidden West didn’t seem to capture the same level of sales momentum.
This led Spawn Wave to ponder whether fans are genuinely eager for an online multiplayer experience set in the Horizon universe or if it might have been more effective as an added mode, similar to Ghost of Tsushima: Legends.
Sony’s Live Service Push
Responding to these thoughts, Jason Schreier stated, “Horizon Online is their next product, not the third single-player game, looks like. So, that one may be waaays off.”
He emphasized that Sony’s live service strategy isn’t just a passing phase. He added that Horizon Online is one of the few projects amid cancellations and setbacks plaguing other live service titles.
Schreier’s comments suggest that Horizon Online could play a pivotal role in Sony’s ongoing efforts to expand their live service offerings, especially given the mixed performance of titles like Concord.
What This Means for Fans
Sony has been vocal about their commitment to live service games, but Schreier’s revelation confirms that Horizon Online is moving forward as the franchise’s next big step.
This direction indicates a broader push towards multiplayer experiences and a diversification of the Horizon universe.
It raises the question of whether the fanbase is ready to embrace a full-fledged online experience or if they would have preferred more traditional, single-player content.
As more details about Horizon Online surface, it will be interesting to see how Guerrilla Games plans to navigate the challenge of satisfying long-time fans while attracting a new audience to this online iteration of the Horizon world.
For now, gamers can only speculate on what this ambitious project will look like and how it fits into Sony’s larger live service strategy.
