Horizon 3 waits indefinitely – Jason Schreier reveals Guerrilla Games devotes most resources to recently announced live service spin-off Horizon Hunters Gathering. The trusted Bloomberg journalist confirms Aloy’s trilogy conclusion shifts years out as studio tackles multiplayer challenge post-Horizon Zero Dawn remaster and Lego Horizon Adventures.
Hunters Gathering Steals Spotlight
Schreier posted on Bluesky February 5 confirming Guerrilla’s multiplayer focus: ‘To the best of my knowledge most of Guerrilla is on Hunters Gathering right now.’ The cooperative hunt game eclipses Horizon 3 single-player development, pushing Aloy’s finale to late PS5 lifecycle or PS6 launch window.
Studio director Jan-Bart van Beek called multiplayer ‘massive shift on par with first Horizon’ during 2022 job listings. Hunters Gathering features squad-based robotic dinosaur hunts, crafting, base building – evolution of Zero Dawn’s original co-op concept leaked 2018.
Sony Live Service Priority
Hunters Gathering survives Sony’s live service purge claiming Concord ($400M loss), Firewalk closure, Naughty Dog’s Last of Us Online cancellation. Guerrilla’s project predates corporate mandate – Zero Dawn envisioned multiplayer from inception per van Beek.
Horizon 3 Development Reality
Guerrilla likely began Horizon 3 pre-production 2023 post-Forbidden West. Hunters Gathering priority delays full production to 2026 earliest, targeting 2028-2030 release aligning PS6 generation. Aloy’s Burning Shores unresolved storyline demands trilogy payoff.
PlayStation 5 lifecycle matures – God of War Ragnarok (2022), Spider-Man 2 (2023) represent technical peaks. Cross-gen Horizon 3 possible mirroring Forbidden West PS4/PS5 launch, though PS6 optimization preferred for robotic ecosystem evolution.
Guerrilla’s Multiplayer Ambition
Studio history favors single-player after Killzone trilogy disappointment. Horizon Hunters Gathering returns multiplayer roots leveraging decade development experience. NCSoft collaboration on Horizon MMO (Steel Frontiers) frees internal resources for console/PC focus.
Sony’s six live service commitment by FY25 includes Hunters Gathering survival. Helldivers 2 success ($1B+ revenue) validates co-op shooter formula while Concord catastrophe underscores execution risks.
Community Split on Direction
r/GamingLeaksAndRumours 1.4k upvotes debate multiplayer pivot. ‘Guerrilla earned multiplayer shot after Killzone mastery’ versus ‘Aloy’s trilogy first, spin-offs later.’ Bluesky comments fear budget cuts if Hunters Gathering underperforms post-Concord.
Reddit warns franchise fatigue – Zero Dawn remaster, Lego Adventures, Hunters Gathering, MMO, film (2027) risk saturation before trilogy conclusion. PS6 launch title positioning emerges consensus.
Sony’s Live Service Reckoning
Hunters Gathering tests post-Concord strategy. Sony scaled from 12 to six live service titles after $2B+ losses. Guerrilla’s internal passion project survives purges claiming Naughty Dog, London Studio closures.
Horizon Franchise Pipeline
- Zero Dawn Remastered (2025)
- Lego Horizon Adventures (2025)
- Hunters Gathering (2027?)
- NCSoft MMO Steel Frontiers (2028?)
- Horizon 3 (2029-2031)
- Live-action film (2027)
FAQs
When is Horizon 3?
2028-2031 per Schreier – Guerrilla prioritizes Hunters Gathering live service. PS6 generation likely given development timelines.
What is Hunters Gathering?
Co-op multiplayer hunt game – squad robotic dinosaur takedowns, crafting, base building. Guerrilla’s Zero Dawn co-op concept realized.
Why multiplayer now?
Studio passion project since 2018 leaks. Survives Sony live service purge post-Concord. Killzone multiplayer DNA returns.
Horizon 3 cancelled?
No – pre-production likely began 2023. Hunters Gathering delays full production to 2026 earliest.
Sony live service success?
Helldivers 2 ($1B+) validates formula. Hunters Gathering tests post-Concord recovery.
Guerrilla history?
Killzone trilogy multiplayer mastery precedes Horizon single-player pivot. Multiplayer return closes circle.
Conclusion
Jason Schreier’s Horizon 3 timeline confirmation reveals Guerrilla’s bold multiplayer gamble. Hunters Gathering tests decade co-op vision surviving Sony’s live service carnage while delaying Aloy’s trilogy payoff. PS6 era positioning makes strategic sense amid packed pipeline. Fans balance excitement for multiplayer evolution against single-player conclusion cravings. Guerrilla earns multiplayer shot – execution determines franchise future.