Guerrilla Games has been keeping the gaming world abuzz with news of a multiplayer addition to its successful Horizon series. While the studio has not made a formal announcement, recent job postings and leaks have provided valuable insights into the project. In this article, we delve deep into the available information to present a comprehensive overview of what fans can expect from this multiplayer iteration.
Reusing Systems from Zero Dawn and Forbidden West
One of the most significant details emerging from Guerrilla's recent job postings is the reuse of technology from its mainline Horizon titles, Zero Dawn and Forbidden West. Specifically, the developer aims to repurpose its existing world and quest systems. However, simply transferring these elements is unlikely to be a straightforward task. Online multiplayer games pose unique challenges in data synchronization, balancing, and infrastructure scalability. Guerrilla last tackled these issues over a decade ago while working on Killzone Shadow Fall, a PlayStation 4 title with online modes for up to 24 players.
Genre of Choice: A Cooperative Experience?
Another crucial piece of information comes in the form of the game's genre. The developer's latest job ad describes the Horizon spinoff as a "AAA RPG." While it remains unclear whether the project will be a massive multiplayer online game (MMO) like World of Warcraft, or lean towards a more contained cooperative experience similar to Diablo 4, the RPG label does carry implications. Typically, online RPGs have longer shelf lives compared to their first-person shooter (FPS) counterparts. Therefore, it is plausible to assume that Guerrilla aims to give the Horizon multiplayer game longer post-launch support.
Post-Launch Support and Release Timeline
Considering its RPG nature, the Horizon multiplayer game is likely to receive robust post-launch support. This aligns well with Guerrilla's ambition for the title, as evidenced by the level of technology and systems they plan to carry over from the mainline Horizon games. Though Guerrilla recently described the upcoming title as its "next" release, implying that it may precede the sequel to Horizon Forbidden West, the project appears to be years away from completion.
A Return to Multiplayer for Guerrilla
The move into multiplayer is a significant shift for Guerrilla, especially given that the last multiplayer game they released was Killzone Shadow Fall. While that game's multiplayer lobbies are less active nowadays, the Horizon brand carries more weight. It's reasonable to assume that Guerrilla has high hopes for the Horizon multiplayer project, aiming for it to have greater staying power.