Sony seems to be looking to the horizon as it sets its sights on the Horizon IP being the next hot property for the company. There is a Horizon TV show in the works, a Horizon multiplayer/live service game is rumoured to be happening as well as a remaster of Horizon Zero Dawn. Now it is being reported that a Horizon MMORPG is in development at NCSoft.
As reported by the Korean news site MTN, NCSoft is collaborating with Sony to develop an MMORPG (Massively Multiplayer Online Role Playing Game) based on Sony and Guerrilla Games’ Horizon IP.
A source familiar with the Sony and NCSoft deal tells MTN that the two companies have “tentatively agreed to promote a business partnership to create a new game using Sony’s promising game IP.” The source further claims that NCSoft’s internal development team is making the game.
The source further claims that “After starting game development, discussions are underway in the form of ‘pre-development and post-negotiation in which the two companies discuss collaboration and business partnership. There is a possibility that it will lead to a comprehensive partnership such as development.”
Bear in mind that the article has been translated from Korean using Google translate. SO it is not entirely clear from the translation if development has actually begun or if it is still being negotiated.
The article continues that the new and alleges Horizon MMORPG is being developed by the ‘H’ Seed development team is developing the new Horizon MMORPG. Apparently, the ‘H’ Seed team has also developed the Lineage MMO which NCSoft are known for along with Guild Wars.
It is currently unknown if this Horizon MMORPG and the rumoured Horizon multiplayer game are one and the same. Or if the MMORPG is a completely different thing. The Horizon multiplayer game is rumoured to be in development by a PlayStation Studio but the article only mentions NCSoft.
My hunch is that they are one and the same and Sony is perhaps calling on NCSoft’s MMO expertise. Much like they did by buying Bungie, so they could use their live-service expertise. Although there is no rumour of Sony buying NCSoft.
Source: MTN (in Korean)
