Sony is overhauling its upcoming live-service title, Horizon: Hunters Gathering, after private playtests revealed significant issues with the game's direction. This pivot matters to players who were expecting a persistent online experience, as the studio is now stripping out those elements to focus on a more traditional co-operative multiplayer game with a smaller scope. The change signals that Sony is willing to scrap its initial vision rather than release a product that failed to engage testers.
Guerrilla Games strips live-service elements to focus on traditional co-op
The development team at Guerrilla Games has been working on the reboot since June, according to people familiar with the company’s plans. Instead of maintaining the original live-service structure, the studio is reworking the title to include a story mode and a reduced scope. This adjustment aims to create a more focused experience that aligns with what the initial feedback suggested players wanted.
The project remains active but faces a critical deadline in December. The studio has told staff that they have through this month to impress executives with their next milestone. If the team fails to meet these expectations, some developers may be reassigned to other projects within the company. This timeline adds pressure to the remaining development work as the team races to prove the new direction is viable.
This situation follows a broader pattern of Sony struggling with live-service titles, including the recent cancellation of Concord and other multiplayer projects. The reboot of Hunters Gathering highlights the challenges the publisher faces in sustaining long-term player engagement. Readers interested in the future of PlayStation's online ecosystem should watch how this pivot plays out in the coming months.
Source: Report, MP1ST
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