Recent job listings and online buzz have virtually confirmed the development of an MMORPG set in the Horizon universe, an exciting prospect for fans of the acclaimed Guerrilla franchise. Known under the codenames “Project Skyline” and initially “Project H,” this game is shaping up to be a significant addition to the gaming world.
Video game researcher Kurakasis has been at the forefront of uncovering details about this project. In a series of tweets, Kurakasis shared insights into the game’s development, including the likelihood of it being an MMORPG titled “Land of Salvation.” This title, however, remains speculative, based on domain registrations and the alignment of ongoing projects at NCSoft.
A LinkedIn job listing by an NCSoft employee showcased a logo stylistically similar to the Horizon series, lending further credibility to these claims. The project, being developed in Unreal Engine 5, is expected to launch after Aion 2, which is slated for a 2024/2025 release. As of September 2023, approximately 140 people were reportedly working on the game.
The Teams Behind the Scenes
Here is a different job listing with a more precise description. It looks like there are no plans for a PS5 version as of right now. pic.twitter.com/l0l9h5DXo1
— Kurakasis (@Kurakasis) December 31, 2023
“Project Skyline” is being developed within Sung-Gu Lee’s Lineage IP division at NCSoft, under the leadership of Hong-Young Choi, known for his work on Lineage W. The project’s roots trace back to around 2021, as per a former NCSoft employee’s resume.
Interestingly, the job listings do not mention a PlayStation 5 release, indicating that the game might be targeted primarily at PC and mobile platforms. This aligns with the recent strategic partnership between Sony and Guild Wars publisher NCsoft. This collaboration is set to expand PlayStation’s reach beyond console gaming into mobile and other global business fields.
The partnership between NCsoft and Sony, signed by NCsoft head Taekjin Kim and Sony’s Jim Ryan, aims to create strategic synergy by leveraging NCsoft’s technological capabilities and Sony’s global entertainment prowess. While the specifics of their collaboration were not disclosed, it’s speculated that the Horizon MMORPG could be a part of this broader initiative.