Horizon Steel Frontiers MMO: NCSoft Details, Aloy's Role, Art
A bold new chapter in the Horizon saga has been officially unveiled. In a surprise announcement, Sony Interactive Entertainment and Korean MMO powerhouse NCSoft have revealed Horizon Steel Frontiers, a massively multiplayer online role-playing game set in the celebrated post-apocalyptic world.
In a detailed developer interview, key figures from NCSoft have shed light on the ambitious project, confirming its development for PC and mobile devices, clarifying the role of series protagonist Aloy, and explaining the game's unique, stylized aesthetic.
What is Horizon Steel Frontiers?
Horizon Steel Frontiers is an online multiplayer take on the world established in Horizon Zero Dawn and Horizon Forbidden West. Developed by NCSoft, the studio behind iconic MMOs like Lineage and Guild Wars, the game aims to translate the core experience of hunting massive robotic creatures and exploring a lush, dangerous world into a persistent online environment shared by thousands of players.
This new title is being built from the ground up as a cross-platform experience specifically for PC and mobile gamers. The project represents a significant collaboration between Sony and NCSoft, blending a premier PlayStation IP with the deep expertise of a veteran MMO developer to expand the franchise to a new audience. The goal is to allow players to team up with friends to take on the fearsome machines that roam the wilds, establish their own tribes, and carve out a new identity within the Horizon universe.
A New Stylized Vision for the World of Horizon
One of the most immediate and striking details revealed is the game's unique art direction. While Guerrilla Games’ mainline titles are known for their stunning photorealism, Horizon Steel Frontiers will feature a more stylized, almost animated aesthetic.
Developers at NCSoft explained this choice was deliberate, serving two primary functions. First, the art style allows for smoother performance and visual consistency across a wide range of PC hardware and mobile devices. This is crucial for ensuring a fair and enjoyable cross-platform experience. Second, the stylized look is intended to give Steel Frontiers its own distinct identity within the broader Horizon franchise, making it instantly recognizable while still honoring the established designs of the world's tribes and machines. Early concept art showcases vibrant colors and expressive character models that capture the spirit of Horizon in a fresh, new way.
Will Aloy Be the Main Character?
A key question on every fan's mind is what role, if any, the iconic hero Aloy will play. NCSoft has confirmed that while Horizon Steel Frontiers is set firmly in the same world, players will not be playing as Aloy. As is tradition in the MMO genre, the focus will be on allowing players to create and customize their own unique characters.
However, that doesn't mean Aloy will be absent. The developers have strongly hinted that she will be a significant figure within the game's world and narrative. Players can expect to encounter her and other key characters from the series as important non-player characters (NPCs). Her legacy and actions will undoubtedly shape the state of the world that players enter, and she will likely serve as a central figure in major story quests, guiding players on their new adventures.
A Focus on PC and Mobile Cross-Platform Play
Perhaps the most surprising element of the reveal is the game's announced platforms: PC and mobile. Conspicuously, a PlayStation version was not mentioned, signaling a strategic move to bring the Horizon IP to a broader gaming ecosystem.
The development is centered around creating a seamless experience whether you are playing at a desktop or on the go. This design philosophy influences everything from the user interface to the core gameplay loops. NCSoft is leveraging its extensive experience in the mobile and PC MMO space to ensure that the controls are intuitive and the gameplay is satisfying on both a touch screen and with a mouse and keyboard. This approach aims to break down barriers, allowing friends to play together regardless of their chosen device.
What We Know About Gameplay So Far
While many details are still under wraps, the interview provided some tantalizing clues about the gameplay experience in Horizon Steel Frontiers.
- Massive Machine Hunts: The core pillar of the Horizon experience—battling colossal machines—will be central to the game. Players will need to form groups, strategize, and use teamwork to target weak points and bring down formidable foes like Thunderjaws and Tremortusks in large-scale online battles.
- Player-Driven Stories: The game will feature a deep narrative, but much of the moment-to-moment action will be driven by players. This includes forming tribes, crafting gear from salvaged machine parts, and exploring the vast open world.
- Three Original Tribes: Players will create their own character belonging to one of three new, original tribes created specifically for the game: the forest-dwelling Marea, the desert-based Revna, and the technologically-minded Chepai.
- Exploration: The world will be a massive, persistent version of the Horizon universe, filled with familiar landmarks and entirely new regions to discover.
The reveal of Horizon Steel Frontiers marks an exciting and unexpected expansion for the franchise. By partnering with a seasoned MMO developer and targeting PC and mobile, Sony is betting on a new way for fans to live inside one of its most beloved worlds.
Horizon Steel Frontiers: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is Horizon Steel Frontiers?
Horizon Steel Frontiers is a new massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) set in the Horizon universe, co-developed by Sony and NCSoft for PC and mobile platforms.
Who is developing the game?
The game is being developed by NCSoft, a Korean company renowned for creating popular MMOs like the Lineage and Guild Wars series, in collaboration with Sony Interactive Entertainment.
What platforms will Horizon Steel Frontiers be on?
It has been officially announced for PC and mobile devices, with a focus on cross-platform play between them. A PlayStation version has not been announced at this time.
Will you play as Aloy?
No, players will create their own custom characters. However, NCSoft has confirmed that Aloy will appear in the game as a key non-player character (NPC) involved in the story.
Is there a release date for Horizon Steel Frontiers?
No release date or launch window has been announced yet. More details are expected as development continues.