PlayStation is reworking Horizon Hunters Gathering into a smaller co-op game

The landscape of live service gaming is often a brutal place, filled with ambitious projects that struggle to find their footing. This sentiment is currently echoing through the PlayStation development studio, particularly concerning the evolution of Horizon Hunters Gathering.

What began as a promising live service multiplayer spin-off, developed by Guerrilla Games and published by Sony Interactive Entertainment, has reportedly undergone a significant transformation following disappointing feedback from recent playtests. This shift signals a major strategic pivot for the project.

When the project was first unveiled, the expectation was for a full multiplayer experience. However, subsequent private testing revealed challenges that led to a fundamental rethinking of the game’s direction. PlayStation has since moved to rework the title, aiming to address the issues and deliver a more satisfying experience for players.

The new vision appears to be scaling back the ambition and leaning into a more traditional co-op structure. Instead of maintaining a complex live service model, the focus is reportedly shifting toward a streamlined story mode and a smaller overall scope. This move aims to deliver a more focused and polished experience for the players.

To facilitate this overhaul, the development team and publisher were given a window to implement these changes. Reports indicate that the developers had until the end of December to reshape the game to better impress higher-ups with the revised concept.

This strategic change comes with some internal adjustments. It is suggested that some of the team members currently working on Horizon Hunters Gathering may be reassigned to pursue other internal projects, demonstrating a broader organizational restructuring.

While the specific details of the new game’s identity remain under wraps, the core message is clear: the focus is now on delivering a high-quality, more traditional co-op experience rather than attempting the often-treacherous path of live service gaming.

It is a reminder that even massive franchises are navigating the choppy waters of modern game development. The struggle for successful live service models continues across the industry, and the evolution of Horizon Hunters Gathering is just one more chapter in that ongoing story.