Sony reboots Horizon Hunters Gathering after poor player tests

Sony has ordered a complete reboot of Horizon Hunters Gathering, its multiplayer spin-off of the Horizon franchise. After disappointing player tests, the project is abandoning its live-service model for a classic cooperative version, with a story mode and a reduced scope. Guerrilla Games has until December 2026 to convince management.

A sharp turn after disastrous feedback

Announced on February 5, 2026, Horizon Hunters Gathering was meant to be a live-service cooperative game for PS5 and PC, inspired by Monster Hunter. The game featured machine hunts in teams of three, a social hub (Hunters Gathering), and modes like Machine Incursion (waves of machines with a final boss) or Cauldron Descent (multi-stage trials). A narrative campaign, playable characters with varied styles, and a roguelite progression system rounded out the offering.

But the three closed beta sessions held in early 2026 were a failure. Player feedback, deemed "very poor," prompted Sony to demand a change in direction as early as June. The studio now has until the end of December to present a new version, or risk seeing the project canceled. A large part of the team has already been reassigned to other projects, including a mysterious title slated for evaluation by the end of the year.

Sony backtracks on live-service after a string of failures

Horizon Hunters Gathering is part of a series of setbacks for Sony in the live-service space. After the resounding failure of Concord (pulled from sale weeks after launch), the publisher canceled several projects: a The Last of Us multiplayer (80% complete), a God of War at Bluepoint, and an unannounced title at Bend Studio. Only Helldivers 2 (Arrowhead) succeeded, selling 12 million copies in 12 weeks.

In 2022, Sony aimed for over ten live-service titles by March 2026. In 2023, President Hiroki Totoki scaled back this plan, promising only six titles by the end of March 2026, with an absolute focus on quality. Vinit Agarwal, former director of the The Last of Us multiplayer, explained this strategy as "excessive enthusiasm" tied to the growth of online gaming during the pandemic, followed by a shift in trends in 2022-2023.

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What about Horizon 3?

The overhaul of Horizon Hunters Gathering further delays Horizon 3. A “very small team” is working on this next solo installment, but its release isn’t expected for several years. Guerrilla Games, which confirmed “Aloy’s next adventure” in April 2023, may now be targeting the PlayStation 6. Meanwhile, NCSoft and Sony are developing Horizon Steel Frontiers, a mobile (and PC) MMORPG set in the same universe, with no direct connection to Guerrilla.

"Combat is tactical, reactive, and heavily skill-based; it builds on the tactical precision of the Horizon games while incorporating team-based dynamics." — Arjan Bak, game director of Horizon Hunters Gathering (February 2026)Translated from French

Sony’s reversal on Horizon Hunters Gathering highlights a shift in strategy: after betting on live-service, the publisher is refocusing on more traditional experiences, under pressure from players and commercial results. The question remains: will this pivot be enough to save the project, or will Hunters Gathering join the list of cancellations?