Two commercially successful mainline titles and a commendable effort for a VR spin-off later, Guerilla Games already thinks that it can outlast all but a few franchises with Horizon. As audacious as this plan may sound, the studio might just be able to pull it off.
At the recent Develop: Brighton conference (via GamesRadar), Studio Director Jan-Bart van Beek unveiled its roadmap for the PlayStation exclusive series, including a bold plunge into the multiplayer sphere, a feat described as a “massive shift” for the studio.
Settling into the well-crafted universe of the Horizon series, developer Guerrilla Games has confirmed its dedication to fans of the franchise.
It’s a whole new challenge,” van Beek expressed, highlighting the grandiosity of transitioning the franchise to a multiplayer experience, comparable to the original development of Horizon Zero Dawn. This shift is part of the 16 active plans it has on the docket for the Horizon franchise’s expansion, promising fans an immersive and extensive universe to explore.
Established on the monumental success of Horizon Zero Dawn and its sequel, Horizon Forbidden West, Guerrilla Games has no plans to sit on its laurels. Just like the Faro Plague, Guerilla is relentless in its attempt to expand and explore beyond the existing games in the series. The latest expansion, Burning Shores DLC, solidified the anticipation of fans, setting things up for more action-packed adventures for the series’ protagonist, Aloy. Following the successful sales of 32.7 million units all over the world, with Horizon Forbidden West accounting for 8.4 million of that number, the studio clearly struck gold with this compelling franchise.
The upcoming multiplayer game signifies a new direction for Guerrilla, presenting a unique opportunity to establish a new cast of characters with a different art style. While details remain under wraps, the introduction of a multiplayer experience presents boundless potential to expand the lore of the Horizon series and engage players in shared adventures.
Still, the single-player campaigns remain a pivotal part of the Horizon series. The sequel to Horizon Forbidden West is now in development, promising more of Aloy’s thrilling exploits. This sequel, coupled with the PlayStation VR2 spin-off Horizon: Call of the Mountain, reinforces Guerrilla’s dedication to video game entries in the franchise.
Yet, the evolution of the Horizon franchise extends beyond the gaming sphere. Guerrilla Games’ universe will also expand into different forms of media. A Netflix adaptation, in collaboration with Guild Wars developer NCSoft, is in the works, one that aims to recreate Aloy’s gripping narrative from a new perspective. This venture into transmedia projects underlines the versatility of the Horizon series and its vast potential for various adaptations.
Fans of the Horizon series can also anticipate a remastered version of Horizon Zero Dawn for PS5, enhancing the original experience for the new generation console. Moreover, the passing of Lance Reddick, who lent his voice and likeness to the deuteragonist Sylens, prompts new narrative developments. His final appearance in the Burning Shores DLC established the foundation for the series’ subsequent plotline. With him gone, Guerilla will have to go back to the drawing board and find a way to explain the absence of such a pivotal figure going forward.
Nevertheless, the Horizon series has grown exponentially, from a fledgling PlayStation exclusive to a multimillion-selling franchise with an expanding universe spanning various media forms. If Van Beek’s optimism is to go by, the sky is the limit for Horizon.
The 16 plans outlined by Guerrilla Games foreshadow a vibrant future for the Horizon series, nurturing anticipation for the series’ expansive journey into new frontiers. It’s on a clear path towards the franchise’s longevity, promising an enthralling future for the fans, and ensuring that the sun won’t set on the Horizon series anytime soon.
