adminHorizon Hunters Gathering is reportedly being redesigned after negative player feedback, with Guerrilla Games removing its live-service features and shifting the project toward a more traditional multiplayer format. The reported changes would also include a story mode and a reduced scope, though PlayStation has not publicly commented on the matter.
Image credit: Guerrilla Games
What is changing in Horizon Hunters Gathering?
Journalist Jason Schreier reports that the game is being reworked as a smaller multiplayer experience rather than a live-service title. The revised direction is said to include a story mode. Specific details about its gameplay, story, release plans, or the extent of the redesign have not been confirmed publicly.
The overhaul reportedly began in June. Staff were told they had until December to reach the next milestone and demonstrate progress to executives. People working on the project are also reportedly expected to be reassigned to another project, which will be evaluated at the end of the year.
For players following the game, the key distinction is that these details come from reporting attributed to sources, rather than an official announcement. Until Guerrilla or PlayStation shares more information, features and timelines should be treated as unconfirmed.
How the project fits into Guerrilla’s work
According to the report, most of Guerrilla’s staff moved to Hunters Gathering after Horizon Forbidden West was released in 2022. A smaller team is said to be developing a single-player sequel, which remains years away from completion. PlayStation declined to comment on the report.
Guerrilla announced Horizon Hunters Gathering earlier in the year and held closed playtests in North America and Europe from February to early March, followed by another test in early May. Playtests can help studios gather feedback, but their existence alone does not confirm which elements of a game will appear in its final version.
PlayStation’s wider live-service challenges
The reported redesign comes amid several setbacks for PlayStation’s live-service efforts. In 2024, Concord was removed from sale after two weeks. Firewalk Studios, which developed the game, and Neon Koi were subsequently closed.
PlayStation also cancelled live-service projects connected to God of War, Spider-Man, and The Last of Us, along with other projects at Bend Studio and Bluepoint Games. Bluepoint Games closed in February. Sony acquired Destiny developer Bungie for $3.6 billion in 2022; Destiny 2 development ended earlier this year, while the company’s newer live-service title, Marathon, reportedly recorded low sales.
In June, Sony Interactive Entertainment CEO Hideaki Nishino said he wanted to “revitalise” live-service projects through first- and third-party content. The reported changes to Horizon Hunters Gathering illustrate how a project’s direction may shift as a company reviews its plans and player response.
What to expect next for Horizon Hunters Gathering
For now, the reported move from live-service features to a story-focused multiplayer format remains unconfirmed by PlayStation. Players should look for official updates before relying on details about the game’s final scope, schedule, or features. Horizon Hunters Gathering’s next milestone is reportedly due in December, when progress is expected to be reviewed.
