Horizon Steel Frontiers: NCSoft's Ambitious RPG - What We Know
The breathtaking, post-apocalyptic world of Horizon has, until now, been a largely solitary experience. We’ve walked in Aloy’s footsteps, silently stalking Striders and toppling Thunderjaws on our own. But a new frontier is on the horizon, one forged in steel and shared with players from around the globe. A major partnership between Sony Interactive Entertainment and the veteran MMO developer NCSoft is set to expand the franchise into the massive multiplayer online space.
While a rumored title, "Horizon Steel Frontiers," has captured the community's imagination, the project, officially codenamed "Project Skyline," promises to fundamentally change how we hunt the world's most dangerous machines.
What is Horizon Steel Frontiers (Project Skyline)?
At its core, "Project Skyline" is a massive multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) set within the rich universe established by Guerrilla Games. The project is being developed for PC and PlayStation platforms by NCSoft, the celebrated Korean studio responsible for legendary online worlds like Lineage and Guild Wars 2. Their deep expertise in creating persistent, living online games is being combined with Horizon's iconic art direction and unparalleled machine-based combat.
The game is being built using Unreal Engine 5, signaling a commitment to top-tier visuals capable of rendering the lush wilds and colossal machines the series is known for. The goal is to create a seamless, expansive world where thousands of players can coexist, exploring new lands, uncovering ancient mysteries, and, most importantly, hunting together.
Reimagining Machine Combat for a Massive World
The single-player Horizon games perfected a combat loop centered around precision, preparation, and exploitation of weak points. Aloy is a one-woman army, capable of dismantling a behemoth with a well-placed arrow and a few carefully laid traps. This formula must be completely re-engineered for a multiplayer environment, and that’s where the concept of "Steel Frontiers" truly gets exciting. The focus will shift from solo heroism to coordinated, strategic teamwork.
Expect machine combat to evolve in several key ways:
- Team-Based Takedowns: Imagine facing a Shell-Walker convoy not as one hunter, but as a full party of specialists. A heavily armored "tank" player could draw the machine's attention, while damage-focused players target its cargo clasps and a support player deploys elemental traps to slow its advance. Success will depend on communication and execution, not just individual skill.
- Dynamic Weak Points & Armor: To challenge large groups, machines might have evolving vulnerabilities. A Tremortusk's plasma cannons might initially be susceptible to shock arrows, but after sustaining damage, they could become shielded, forcing the team to pivot and attack its underbelly armor plates with explosive weapons instead.
- Large-Scale World Events: The true potential of an MMO is in its scale. We could see events where entire player villages must defend against a coordinated stampede of Grazers and Scrappers, culminating in a battle against a colossal Sawtooth alpha. These events would require dozens of players to work in concert, fortifying defenses, crafting ammunition on the fly, and targeting priority threats.
- A Deepened Crafting System: Crafting is essential in Horizon, but in an MMO, it can become a core player role. We could see dedicated crafters who specialize in creating the most powerful bows, armor, and elemental traps, supplying their entire tribe with the gear needed to take on the deadliest machines.
A New Visual Direction for the Apocalypse
While the Horizon series is famous for its breathtaking photorealism, job listings from NCSoft have hinted that "Project Skyline" will adopt a more "stylized" visual direction. This doesn't mean the game will look cartoonish; rather, it suggests a unique artistic interpretation of the world.
This move is likely driven by both technical and creative goals. A slightly stylized aesthetic can help the game run smoothly with dozens of players and complex machine animations on screen at once. Creatively, it gives NCSoft a chance to put its own signature stamp on the universe, creating a look that is instantly recognizable as the Horizon online experience while still honoring the established world.
Exploring Beyond the Forbidden West
The world of Horizon is far larger than the regions Aloy has explored. An MMORPG provides the perfect canvas to finally reveal what lies across the oceans or deep within unexplored continents. Players will almost certainly create their own unique characters, choosing from various tribes—both familiar and new.
This opens up a wealth of storytelling possibilities. The game’s narrative could run parallel to Aloy's journey, focusing on different threats and discoveries. We could be pioneers charting new territory, uncovering the secrets of different Old World ruins, and encountering entirely new breeds of machines purpose-built for these unknown climates. The emphasis will be on your character's story and their role in the survival of their tribe in this vast, shared world.
FAQ: Your Questions About the Horizon MMORPG
What is the official title of the Horizon MMORPG?
There is no official title yet. The game is known publicly by its development codename, "Project Skyline." The name "Horizon Steel Frontiers" is a speculative title used by fans to describe the project's concept.
Who is developing the Horizon MMORPG?
The game is being developed by NCSoft, a highly respected South Korean studio with decades of experience creating successful MMORPGs, including the Guild Wars and Lineage series. They are working in a strategic partnership with Sony Interactive Entertainment.
Will Aloy be in the game?
While nothing is confirmed, it is highly unlikely that Aloy will be a playable character. The game will focus on players creating their own unique characters. However, as the central hero of the Horizon universe, Aloy could certainly appear as a major non-player character (NPC) in the story.
When is the release date?
No release date or even a release window has been announced. The project was confirmed in 2022 and is still in active development. Fans should expect to wait some time for more official information.