Following recent rumours of a partnership between Sony and Korean online game developer NCSoft to create an MMORPG (massively multiplayer online roleplaying game) in the Horizons universe, Horizons developer Guerilla Entertainment has confirmed that an online game is being made, but speak of an internal team.

On the face of it that appears to confirm one part and deny another of the rumour but their statement doesn't rule out NCSoft's involvement either as a co-developer or just publisher.

We are continuing to create epic solo adventures for Aloy.

But there is more.

A new internal team is developing a separate Online Project set in Horizon's universe.

Featuring a new cast of characters and a unique stylized look, friends will be able to explore the majestic wilds of Horizons together.

Three words stand out - unique stylized look, a.k.a. cartoon-like. Not photorealistic.

Their most recent single-player title Horizon Forbidden West just recently announced their Burning Shores DLC at The Game Awards.

The base game is a PlayStation 4 and 5 exclusive but the DLC will only release on the PS5 which allows them to lean into the better graphical capacity of that console.

For the multiplayer game a "stylized look" suggests leaning in the opposite direction and greater accessibility.

One of the reasons that World of Warcraft - another single-player game which made the MMO transition and essentially became the foundation of that industry - was never toppled is its "stylized look".

Multiple competitors tried to beat WoW on their superior graphics credentials but what that effectively meant was that many players would need to not only buy their game and pay for a subscription, but also upgrade their computer.

Potentially effectively quadrupling or more the price of just trying their game.

So this could be a smart choice for the Horizons MMO, especially if they can create an artful "unique stylized look".

There's no ETA on this game or the Netflix live-action series in development, but the Horizon Forbidden West Burning Shores DLC will release on April 19, 2023 on PS5.

[ Main Image: Horizon Forbidden West Burning Shores DLC. Credit: Sony / The Game Awards via YouTube. ]

References

Ivan, Tom (November 8, 2022). Sony has reportedly partnered with NCSoft to make a Horizon MMORPG. Video Games Chronicle.

Life at Guerilla [@LifeAtGuerilla] (December 16, 2022). Join Guerrilla in Amsterdam as we work to expand the world of Horizon. Twitter.

thegameawards (December 8, 2022). Horizon Forbidden West Burning Shores - World Premiere Trailer | The Game Awards 2022. YouTube.