Guerrilla Unveils New Co-Op Chapter In The Horizon Universe

Guerrilla and PlayStation have announced Horizon Hunters Gathering, a new cooperative action game set for release on both PC and PS5. The title introduces a new way to experience the studio's world of mechanized wildlife, focusing on team-based play. The project grew from early ideas that predated even the original game's release, stemming from a desire within the studio to see players hunt machines together. Jan-Bart van Beek, a lead at Guerrilla, confirmed the studio remains committed to its single-player legacy but expressed it was time to explore a new direction.

"They are a huge part of who we are as a studio."

— van Beek said.

Horizon Hunters Gathering is a tactical co-op action game where up to three players can form a team of heroic Hunters. Their objective is to protect a world threatened by deadly machines. Combat builds upon the tactical precision established in previous Horizon titles while adapting the mechanics for team dynamics.

Players will choose from a roster of uniquely skilled Hunters, each with distinct melee or ranged playstyles and weapons. These characters also possess their own personal struggles and motivations that will be explored through new stories. A rogue-lite perk system is embedded within Hunter roles, allowing players to craft a build that suits their style and complements their team. Between missions, players will return to the Hunters' Gathering, a vibrant social hub. This area allows players to connect, prepare for their next hunt, customize their Hunters, visit vendors for supplies, upgrade their gear, and celebrate their victories together.

The game's foundation is centered on challenging, replayable hunts. Guerilla stated in a new PlayStation blog post that two game modes will be available in an upcoming playtest. The first is Machine Incursion, a high-intensity mission where waves of machines emerge from underground gateways, culminating in a battle against a formidable boss. The second mode is Cauldron Descent, a longer, multi-stage trial. It features ever-changing rooms designed to push hunting parties to their limits, presenting them with brutal machine encounters and hidden doors that promise significant power and rewards for teams willing to explore them. The combat is described as tactical, reactive, and deeply skill-based. Players will travel through a range of environments as they hunt dangerous machines, with each location offering its own atmosphere and unique challenges for teams to master.

A full narrative campaign will introduce new mysteries, characters, and threats to the world of Horizon. While specific details of the plot are being kept under wraps, the developer confirmed that the game is fully canon within the established universe. The story is designed to continue evolving and expanding long after the game's initial launch. The development process involved extensive testing, patching, and iteration based on internal feedback. Game Director Arjan Bak recalled the first in-studio playtest with the entire team as a special milestone where the vision and hard work from every discipline finally came together in a playable form. He acknowledged the nerves that come with sharing early builds but found the experience and the official announcement to be worthwhile.

"Multiplayer games have always been part of our studio’s DNA, and it’s where I began my own career,"

— Bak

"Bringing a co-op hunting experience into the Horizon universe is something we’ve envisioned for a long time, and we’re approaching it with care, ambition, and passion."

First, a small-scale closed playtest is scheduled for the end of February. Players interested in participating can sign up through the PlayStation Beta Program and register their interest for any future Horizon Hunters Gathering playtests on either PC or PS5. The game will support full cross-play between the two platforms, as well as cross-progression for players who are logged in and save their game using the same PlayStation account. To keep the community updated, the studio has also launched a brand-new Discord server dedicated to the game. More regular development updates and playtest announcements are expected in the coming months.

"On behalf of everyone at Guerrilla, thank you to our Horizon fans and creators who support and believe in us. And welcome to all new Hunters, excited to join us on this adventure."

— Bak concluded.

"Horizon Hunters Gathering is about taking on challenges together – and we’re just getting started."

The announcement comes as the Horizon franchise continues its expansion. The series has surpassed 40 million copies sold. In addition to the new co-op title, an MMO from NCSoft, known as Horizon Steel Frontiers, is also in development. That game is described as a fierce survival adventure where players take on the role of machine hunters in a region known as the Deathlands, promising large-scale raids and an advanced combat system.

Read also, Sony announced a movie adaptation of Horizon Zero Dawn at its CES 2025 press conference. The film, a collaboration between PlayStation Studios and Columbia Pictures, will follow the protagonist Aloy on her journey through a world inhabited by mechanized creatures.