Guerrilla Games is significantly restructuring Horizon Hunters Gathering, a co-op spin-off in the Horizon franchise, after the game received negative feedback during testing. The developer is removing the live service mechanics that were central to the original design, signaling a fundamental shift in the project's direction following poor player reception of those systems.
This overhaul reflects broader industry caution around live service games, particularly within established franchises. PlayStation's decision to course-correct before launch rather than ship with problematic systems suggests the testing phase exposed serious issues with how the game's ongoing content model was being received by players.
- Guerrilla Games is stripping live service elements from Hunters Gathering after internal testing revealed player dissatisfaction with that design direction.
- The restructuring represents a substantial pivot rather than minor adjustments, indicating fundamental problems with the original live service approach.
- The move underscores how even major publishers are pulling back on live service mechanics when early feedback signals player resistance.
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Massively Overpowered
· Aug 20, 13:30 UTC
Tactical co-op title Horizon Hunters Gathering is reportedly being retooled after disappointing feedback
Horizon Hunters Gathering has proved to be a grave disappointment for Daddy Sony. Announced earlier this year as a tactical co-op action game set in the popular Horizon IP, Hunters Gathering was supposed to be a live service cross-platform…
Gamereactor UK
· Aug 20, 13:29 UTC
Guerrilla Games has reportedly rebooted Horizon Hunters Gathering after "poor feedback"
How many more times are we going to hear this story... Yet another Sony Interactive Entertainment live-service title seems to be on the rocks, as now Horizon Hunters Gathering is claimed to be in rather dire circumstances. A report from Blo…
Com
· Aug 20, 05:01 UTC
Horizon Hunters Gathering Is Getting A Big Overhaul After Poor Player Feedback
Announced back in February of this year, Horizon Hunters Gathering was billed as a tactical co-op action game set in the world of Horizon and included live-service elements, to remain in step with PlayStation’s ill-fated live-service push.…
Polygon
· Aug 19, 14:11 UTC
PlayStation's Horizon Co-Op Game Being Rebooted Following Poor Feedback
PlayStation rebooting Horizon Hunters Gathering following poor feedback to the co-op game's live service features
Video Games Chronicle
· Aug 19, 12:54 UTC
PlayStation co-op spin-off Horizon Hunters Gathering is reportedly being overhauled after poor testing feedback
Guerrilla Games is reportedly stripping out the game's live service elements
Game Informer
· Aug 19, 09:59 UTC
PlayStation Is Reportedly Overhauling Live-Service Horizon Spin-Off Hunters Gathering Following Poor Playtest Feedback
Horizon Hunters Gathering, a live-service spin-off of Guerilla Games' Horizon series , was announced earlier this year to mixed reception. While it retains worldbuilding elements from Horizon Zero Dawn and Forbidden West, the genre and art…