Report: Horizon Hunters Gathering removes live-service feature after receiving negative feedback from players
Guerrilla Games, following feedback from players, is transforming Horizon Hunters Gathering by eliminating its live-service components. This change, reported by Jason Schreier of Bloomberg, involves redesigning the game into a more conventional multiplayer format, including a narrative mode with a tighter focus.
The redeveloped project began its transition in June, with team members expected to achieve significant progress by December to show progress to higher management.
Development personnel working on this title may be reassigned to an alternative endeavor, which will undergo review later in the year, according to insiders. After the conclusion of Horizon Forbidden West in 2022, the larger portion of Guerrilla's team focused on Hunters Gathering, while a smaller group is engaged in a new single-player sequel, anticipated to be far from completion.
No response was given by PlayStation when asked for comments by Bloomberg.
Earlier in the year, Guerrilla introduced Horizon Hunters Gathering, with beta tests conducted in North America and Europe from February to March, and another test in May.
PlayStation's venture into live-service games has experienced several obstacles. In 2024, Concord was removed from the market shortly after release, leading to the closure of its studio, Firewalk Studios, along with Neon Koi, as noted by reports.
Other live-service projects, including those for God of War, Spider-Man, and The Last of Us, as well as efforts from Bend Studio and Bluepoint Games, were also cancelled. Furthermore, Bluepoint Games was shut down in February.
Despite purchasing Destiny creators Bungie in 2022 for $3.6 billion, Sony ceased Destiny 2 development the following year. Their recent offering, Marathon, also experienced poor sales.
In an effort to rejuvenate their live-service strategy, Sony Interactive Entertainment CEO Hideaki Nishino expressed in June a desire to revitalize these projects with collaborations involving both internal and external partners.