Guerrilla Games is restructuring Horizon Hunters Gathering, stripping away its live-service mechanics entirely following poor reception during private testing. The reboot pivots the project toward a cooperative multiplayer experience instead, reflecting player criticism of the original live-service approach. According to reporting, the studio faces a December deadline to demonstrate the overhauled version to PlayStation executives, making this redesign a pivotal moment for the project's viability.
The move underscores Sony's broader challenges with live-service ambitions. Multiple planned titles in this space have faced headwinds, and Horizon Hunters' transformation signals that even established franchises aren't insulated from the strategic missteps plaguing the sector. Whether the co-op redesign resonates better with players - and passes internal scrutiny - will partly determine PlayStation's confidence in future live-service investments.
- Guerrilla Games removed live-service systems from Horizon Hunters Gathering and repositioned it as a cooperative game after negative playtest feedback.
- The studio must deliver results by December to satisfy PlayStation leadership about the project's direction.
- The reboot reflects Sony's wider struggles with live-service execution, suggesting the company may recalibrate its strategy in this space.
All coverage
Thesixthaxis
· Aug 19, 15:20 UTC
Horizon Hunters Gathering is reportedly being rebooted to be less live service-y
Reports have emerged to say that Guerrilla Games is rebooting and reworking Horizon Hunters Gathering, removing core live service elements and shifting to a more traditional co-op adventure format and story mode. Per Jason Schreier on Bloom…
Gamesindustry
· Aug 19, 13:55 UTC
Report: Live-service removed from Horizon Hunters Gathering following negative player feedback
Guerrilla Games is overhauling Horizon Hunters Gathering by removing its live-service features in response to negative player feedback, according to Bloomberg 's Jason Schreier.
Eurogamer
· Aug 19, 13:43 UTC
Horizon Hunters Gathering is reportedly no longer a live service game following negative feedback
Horizon Hunters Gathering has reportedly been rebooted in order to ditch its live service elements, following negative feedback during early private playtests.
GG.deals
· Aug 19, 13:40 UTC
Horizon Hunters Gathering reportedly rebooted after negative player feedback
Is Sony trying to prevent another Concord?
Gamingbolt
· Aug 19, 13:21 UTC
Horizon Hunters Gathering Rebooted After “Negative Player Feedback” With “Far Smaller” Scope – Rumor
Guerrilla Games reportedly has until December to impress executives with the new version, which no longer has live-service elements.
Tech4Gamers
· Aug 19, 13:16 UTC
PlayStation’s Live-Service Strategy Continues to Struggle as Horizon Hunters Is Rebooted After Negative Feedback
Horizon Hunters has been rebooted from a live-service title to a co-op game following negative survey feedback. PlayStation’s Live-Service Strategy Continues to Struggle as Horizon Hunters Is Rebooted After Negative Feedback is a post from…
Gematsu
· Aug 19, 12:35 UTC
Bloomberg: Horizon Hunters Gathering being rebooted following negative player feedback
Publisher Sony Interactive Entertainment and developer Guerrilla Games will reboot the online action game Horizon …